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03/01/2011 National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day Chocolate-Filled Double Delight Peanut Butter Cookies

Source of Recipe

Baking Nites


Recipe Introduction

Smooth, chunky, or all natural? Whatever type of peanut butter you prefer, it is the perfect addition to any snack, treat, or meal. The leading producer of peanut butter is the United States, where it is consumed in 89 percent of American households. It is an extremely popular food because of its delicious taste and versatility. Peanut butter can be spread on a cracker, poured on top of ice cream, or can accompany jelly between two slices of bread. Did you know that the average child will eat 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before he or she graduates high school? Full of protein and vitamins, peanut butter is extremely nutritious and healthy to eat. It may also protect against cardiovascular disease. Today is certainly not a day for people with arachibutyrophobia, the fear of getting peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth. It is National Peanut Butter Lover's Day! To celebrate, enjoy some tasty peanut butter on top of your favorite snack or even right out of the jar!

List of Ingredients

HOME COOKIN’ 03/01/2011 National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day Chocolate-Filled Double Delight Peanut Butter Cookies


hocolate-Filled Double Delight Peanut Butter Cookies


PB Cookie Dough
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, slightly softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth, national brand)

Filling and Topping

1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts, finely chopped
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup peanut butter (creamy, national brand)
2 tbsp cocoa powder
3 tbsp confectioners’/powdered sugar
3 tbsp granulated sugar
2 tbsp finely chopped chocolate (semisweet/bittersweet)



Recipe


Make the cookie dough.

Sift together flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl.
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugars until light.

Beat in egg, followed by the vanilla and peanut butter.

Gradually add in dry ingredients and beat on low speed until just combined.

Spoon dough onto a sheet of wax or parchment paper, shape into a roll about 3-inches in diameter and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Prepare topping and filling.

In small bowl, mix chopped peanuts, granulated sugar and cinnamon; set aside.

In another small bowl,
stir peanut butter, cocoa powder, sugars and chopped chocolate until smooth.

If mixture is very wet (this may be the case if it is very hot outside), add an additional tsp or two of confectioners’ sugar.

Shape mixture 20 small (1/2 inch) balls and place each on a sheet of parchment paper.
Set aside.

Remove cookie dough from fridge.

Cut the log lengthwise in half, then make 10 horizontal cuts to slice the dough into a total of 20 even pieces.

Each piece should be a semi-circle in shape.

Flatten each piece of dough and place a peanut butter ball into it.

Shape each cookie dough piece around the filling, making sure to cover the ball completely.

Repeat with remaining dough and balls.

Roll each ball in peanut-sugar mixture and place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about 2-inches between balls.

Use a flat-bottomed drinking glass to flatten the cookies down to 1/4-inch thickness.

Bake for 9 – 11 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

Cool for 1-2 minutes on the baking sheet, then remove cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Makes 20 large cookies

Baking Bites