Peanut Butter-Filled Chocolate Cookies

These are fun to make and oh-so-delicious, especially right out of the oven. Their flavor is reminiscent of peanut butter cups.

Ingredients:

- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt

- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg

- 3/4 cup crunchy peanut butter
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease two insulated cookie sheets.

To make the dough: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

In another medium bowl, beat the white sugar, brown sugar, butter, and creamy peanut butter until light a fluffy. Add the vanilla and egg, beating until combined.

Stir the dry ingredients into the moist ingredients; blend well. Set aside.

To make the filling: In a small bowl, stir together the crunchy peanut butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Roll the filling into 32 equal-sized balls.

Roll the dough into 32 equal-sized balls. Flatten each ball of dough into a circle in your hand; place a smaller ball of filling into the center of the dough circle, then wrap the dough around the ball of filling to cover it completely.

Place each filled dough ball on the cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Use the bottom of a large drinking glass to flatten each cookie to about 1/2" thick.

Bake for 7-8 minutes, or until cookies are set and you can smell the chocolate. Cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.