Chocolate Surprise Cookie

Finally, a new-to-me recipe!!! 

We had a Church picnic yesterday and I made these yummy cookies.  I had so many requests for the recipe!  They were a hit.  A big hit! 

Some people even asked me to go home and make some more because they were gone in a flash.  (especially thanks to one of the Elders who grabbed a handful!)

I found this recipe over at http://www.sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/ .  They called them "Magic in the Middle Cookies" but I just liked saying "Surprise!" when someone took a bite.  lol

(Note:  I doubled the recipe so that it would make approx. 4 dozen cookies.  The recipe below is already doubled)

Chocolate Surprise Cookies

Chocolate Dough:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar (plus a bit extra in a bowl)

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

1/2 cup smooth peanut butter

3 eggs

Peanut  Butter Filling:

1 1/2 cup peanut butter, crunchy or smooth (your choice.  I used smooth)

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

To make the dough:

Preheat the oven to 375 and light grease cookie sheet or line with parchment paper.  (I recommend parchment paper for ALL cookie baking.  Makes it so much easier.) 

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the sugars, butter and peanut butter until light and fluffy.  Add the vanilla and eggs.

Add the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.  Blend well.

To make the filling:

In a medium bowl mix together the peanut butter and the powdered sugar until smooth.  Roll the filling into approx 48 one-inch balls.

To shape the cookies:

Roll approx. 1 Tablespoon of the chocolate cookie dough into a ball.  Press your thumb into it to make an indentation. 

Place one of the peanut butter balls in the indentation and then shape the cookie dough around the peanut butter ball.

Make sure all the peanut butter is enclosed in the chocolate and then smooth out the chocolate ball by rolling it in your hands.  Repeat, using all dough.

Put some sugar into a small bowl and roll each chocolate ball in the sugar and then place on the cookie sheet.

Using the flat bottom of a drinking glass, press each cookie until about 1/2 inch think.

Bake the cookies for 9 minutes.  They will still be very soft.

Let cookies rest on cookie sheet for 1 minute and then remove to a wire rack to cool.

Share with friends!!

Make sure you say "Surprise" when each person takes their first bite and discovers the peanut butter in the center!  It is great fun!

These are definitely a keeper.  Be prepared for people to ask for the recipe.  You might just want to print some out and take them along with you.  hehe.

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