surprise cookies

I know most people are already pinning away over on Pinterest. If you aren't, you should get started. It really has changed my world. I love the ease of pinning things I find interesting or projects I want to try. I also find myself actually trying new projects now. In the past, I had been able to remember a project or recipe, but rarely could find them. Not any more! I have tried several projects and recipes lately thanks to Pinterest. (My "I'm Hungry" board may be getting out of control.)

I pinned these cookies a fews days ago and then immediately set out to make them with the kids. By the way, what is it with me and baking on cloudy days? It is almost impossible to get a decent photo of food on a cloudy day.

Anyway, these very well may be my new favorite cookie (along with these, of course.)

And so that you can experience the bliss, here are the details:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies

adapted from Liv Life

1½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ cup granulated sugar (plus more for dipping)
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter, divided
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
¾ cup powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 375º. Whisk together first four ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside.

In a large bowl beat together sugars, butter and ¼ cup of peanut butter until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and egg, beating to combine. Stir in the flour mixture and stir to combine, blending well. Set dough aside.

Stir together the powdered sugar and remaining ¾ cup of peanut butter until smooth.

To put the cookies together, break off a generous tablespoon of chocolate cookie dough, flatten a bit with your hands and then place a smaller bit of the peanut butter mixture in the center of the chocolate dough. Wrap the chocolate dough around the peanut butter center, pressing to seal. Gently roll the cookie into a ball. Drop into a bowl of sugar and roll the cookie in the sugar. Place cookies on a silicone lined (or lightly greased) baking sheet 2 inches apart (I use parchment paper). Using the bottom of a glass, flatten each cookie to about a ½ inch thickness.

Bake at 375º for 7 to 9 minutes, or until set. Let stand on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then move to a wire rack.

An added bonus with this recipe is that I let Lucy use the bowl of sugar to practice writing her letters. Throw in a little kinesthetic learning while you bake!

{Gotta love the remnants of a temporary tattoo on her hand}