Friday, December 10, 2010

12 Days of Cookies - Chocolate Peanut Butter Surprises

For someone who is not a fan of chocolate, I sure am baking a lot of chocolate cookies!  Who can pass up chocolate with peanut butter though?  Ok, easy answer...anyone allergic to nuts.  I think I would even try this with a different spreadable nut mixture like hazelnut, almond butter, or even soy butter, sunflower butter, or "Peabutter" for my husband and others with a nut allergy.


The cookie base is really similar to a regular chocolate chip cookie, so beware...they spread!  I tried to make small ones, but they turned out to be as big as my face.  I'll have to practice more to make them a bit more manageable. 


Chocolate Peanut Butter Surprises
Adapted from Martha Stewart


2 c all-purpose flour
1/2 c Dutch cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
8 tablespoons (1/2 c) unsalted butter
1/2 c pure vegetable shortening
1/2 c granulated sugar
1 1/4 c light-brown sugar, firmly packed
2 large eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 c semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 c peanut butter
1.Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
2.In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, shortening, granulated sugar, and 1 cup light-brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing until fully combined between each addition. Add vanilla, and beat to combine. Gradually add dry ingredients, and mix on low speed until fully combined. Remove from mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in chocolate chips. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, and chill until firm, about 1 hour.
3.Preheat the oven to 350F. Line baking sheets with Silpats (nonstick French baking mats) or parchment paper.
4.In a small bowl, using a rubber spatula, stir together peanut butter and remaining 1/4 cup light-brown sugar.
5.Using a 1 1/4-inch scoop or heaping tablespoon, drop dough onto prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Make a thumbprint in the center of each cookie. Fill thumbprint with 1 teaspoon peanut-butter mixture. Top with a second scoop of dough, and carefully mold dough to cover "surprise."
6.Bake until firm, about 12 minutes. Transfer sheets to wire racks to cool for 5 minutes, then transfer cookies to racks.  

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