We are introduced, at an early age, to the sweet wondernous of a cookie. From teething cookies to soothe the swollen aching gums of incoming incisors, onto animal crackers purchased in rectangular-shaped boxes bearing a string handle for easy toting by little fingers. Deciding which part of the animal should be eaten first-the trunk of the elephant or the tail of a lion-depended on how hungry one was. Savor each and every one or simply gobble them down as fast as possible.

My next cookie memory would be the ever famous, possibly all-time favorite, the chocolate chip cookie. There is nothing better than to bite into a round circle of baked dough sprinkled with gooey melt-in-your-mouth chocolate. A chocolate chip cookie can dry tears, heal broken hearts, mend scraped knees and elbows and solve sibling arguments. Most of the problems in the world could likely be solved by a properly baked, right out of the oven, chocolate chip cookie. The power of a cookie is underestimated.

I will attempt in the next 365 days to prepare and comment on a year’s worth of different cookies-one for each day. My goal is to share with others my extreme love of cookies-baking them and especially eating them! Feel free to send me your favorite recipe, your earliest cookie memories, or how cookies may have influenced your life. Cookies Rule!


Monday, July 26, 2010

Cookie Recipe #205 - Peanut Butter-Filled Chocolate Cookies


A chocolate cookie filled with peanut butter-another recipe for you lovers of peanut butter and chocolate (myself included). The cookies and filling seemed a little dry; I think it's because I used chunky peanut butter. If you use creamy peanut butter, I believe the cookies will be moister.

Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 cup butter, softened, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup peanut butter, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 3/4 cup sifted powdered sugar, 1/2 cup peanut butter, granulated sugar for sprinkling.

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl combine flour, cocoa, and baking soda; set aside. In a large mixing bowl beat butter, the 1/2 cup granulated sugar, brown sugar, and the 1/4 cup peanut butter until combined. Beat in flour mixture until thoroughly incorporated. Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls (should have 32); set aside.

For peanut butter filling, in a medium bowl stir together powdered sugar and the 1/2 cup peanut butter until smooth. Shape mixture into 3/4-inch balls (should have 32).

On a work surface (or in the palm of your hand), slightly flatten a chocolate ball and top with a peanut butter ball. Shape the chocolate dough over the peanut butter filling, completely covering the filling. Roll dough into a ball. Repeat with remaining balls.

Place on ungreased baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Lightly flatten with your fingers and sprinkle with granulated sugar.

Bake in preheated 350 degree oven 8 minutes or until cookies are set and surface is slightly cracked. Cool on baking sheet for 1 minute before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes 32 cookies.

"Better Homes and Gardens Biggest Book Of Cookies", Meredith Corporation, Des Moines, IA, 2003.

Cookies Rule!!!

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