Some of my favorite recipes come from King Arthur Flour, and this is just another example why. 🙂  My oldest daughter’s favorite, favorite, favorite sweet in the whole world is Reese’s peanut butter cups.  When I saw this recipe I knew I had to make them for her!  Let’s just say they were a hit!  And not just with her. 🙂
The kids loved helping form them and roll them in the sugar as well.
They may seem like a little more work since you have to form them, but it really is quite easy and goes quickly.  Especially if you have a couple of kids to help. 🙂  These will remain a favorite around here for a long time I suspect!
MAGIC IN THE MIDDLES COOKIES
FOR THE CHOCOLATE DOUGH:
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar (plus more for rolling)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg (if you double the recipe, use 3)
2 T milk, optional (Use if making dough ahead of time, or if dough seems too dry)
PEANUT BUTTER FILLING
3/4 cup peanut butter, smooth or chunky
3/4 cup confectioner’s sugar
Make the chocolate dough: In a medium bowl, beat the sugars, butter, and peanut butter till light and fluffy. Â Add the vanilla and egg, beat until well combined.
Whisk or sift together in another bowl the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Â Add to the chocolate dough, mix until well combined.
Make the filling: Â Beat together the peanut butter and confectioner’s sugar until smooth.
Shape the cookies: I like to scoop all at once to make sure I don’t end up with extra dough or filling. Â Scoop all the chocolate dough onto a tray, you should have 26 tablespoon sized scoops.
Now scoop all the filling in teaspoon size balls, again you should have 26.
Take one chocolate dough ball and make an indentation in the middle, then put a ball of filling in the middle. Â Form chocolate dough around it, sealing in the peanut butter filling.
Roll formed cookies in granulated sugar and place on greased baking sheets (or use silicone mats or parchment paper). Â You should fill 2 baking sheets. Â Repeat with remaining dough, leaving 2 inches in between each cookie. Â Use a glass to flatten the cookies slightly.
Bake at 375 degrees for 7-9 minutes. Â Cool on a wire rack.
RECIPE SOURCE: King Arthur FlourÂ
Ingredients
FOR THE CHOCOLATE DOUGH:
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup sugar (plus more for rolling)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 egg (if you double the recipe, use 3)
- 2 T milk, optional (Use if making dough ahead of time, or if dough seems too dry)
PEANUT BUTTER FILLING
- 3/4 cup peanut butter, smooth or chunky
- 3/4 cup confectioner's sugar
Instructions
- Make the chocolate dough: In a medium bowl, beat the sugars, butter, and peanut butter till light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and egg, beat until well combined.
- Whisk or sift together in another bowl the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Add to the chocolate dough, mix until well combined.
- Make the filling: Beat together the peanut butter and confectioner's sugar until smooth.
- Shape the cookies: I like to scoop all at once to make sure I don't end up with extra dough or filling. Scoop all the chocolate dough onto a tray, you should have 26 tablespoon sized scoops.
- Now scoop all the filling in teaspoon size balls, again you should have 26.
- Take one chocolate dough ball and make an indentation in the middle, then put a ball of filling in the middle. Form chocolate dough around it, sealing in the peanut butter filling.
- Roll formed cookies in granulated sugar and place on greased baking sheets (or use silicone mats or parchment paper). You should fill 2 baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough, leaving 2 inches in between each cookie. Use a glass to flatten the cookies slightly.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 7-9 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
At last! Someone who understands! Thanks for posting!