Chocolate Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies

 I think I'm getting old... I remember going to the movies when I was little and it was SO fun.  The big screen, the big bowl of fake buttered popcorn, a friend sitting next to me.  A kid's dream!  Somehow, I've changed over the years and now I usually prefer watching a video in the comfort of my own home, without all the crackling papers, crunching popcorn (I'm not a popcorn fan!) and coughing patrons.  

I haven't been to the actual theater in over a year, and was really looking forward to an evening out with my daughter and her friend to see the new You Again movie (it really was cute!).  Pizza was the treat of choice before heading in to find our seats, and luckily, by choosing the earlier showing we didn't have a full theater.  The girls sat in front of me and I settled in behind them with a nice big row all to myself.  With the theater being just a bit over 1/2 full, what are the chances that someone would pick the seat right next to me??  Tonight, the odds were 100%.  Really??  With 1/2 the theater open she had to pick that seat?  It's not like it was even a really good seat, and the entire rest of the row was open.  She then proceeded to eat each and every piece of her popcorn one, agonizing piece at a time.  I made it about half way through the movie before scooting down a few seats, giving myself a bit of breathing space.  The movie was cute, and I truly enjoyed watching the girls laugh and giggle.  The ride home was filled with their laughter and comments about the show that made me smile and to top it all off, we finished up our evening with a special Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cookie treat.

Somehow, chocolate and peanut butter make everything better!  My Mom made these cookies for us a few years ago and I have a note, handwritten by my son, that these are the "best cookies in the world"!  The tender cookies, just ever so slightly crisp on the outside give way to a beautifully soft, peanut butter center.  Covered with a sprinkle of sugar the cookies melt in your mouth and any frustrations you may have simply slip away.  Easy to make, quick to bake and tasty to eat.  The perfect finish to a fun evening.  For my next movie though, I think I'm queuing up on Netflix! 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies
Made by my Mom in 2006... not sure of the source! 

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 4 ingredients (flour through salt) in a medium bowl.  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 break off a smaller piece of the peanut butter mixture, placing it in the center of the chocolate dough.  Wrap the chocolate dough around the peanut butter center, pressing to seal.  Roll the cookie to smooth it out.  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.  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 remove to a wire rack.  Watch carefully as cookies tend to disappear if your back is turned and you are not alone in the house!! =)