This week I turn 27, celebrate my 1st wedding anniversary, and I got a Lowe’s card. All of these things make me feel adult-ish…especially having a card solely for the use of home improvements and not for random shoes/clothes/jewels/dishware I want.
It’s kind of a big, weird week.
When I’m feeling weirded out and I don’t know what to do with myself, I default to the kitchen. I know what to do in there.
It’s my spot.
When I’m not sure what to bake, I usually go for cookies. They are hand held, portable, diverse little bites of goodness. When I’m not sure what I want I usually go for peanut butter or chocolate. In this case, I went for both.
Before I give you the recipe and send you running into the kitchen, let me tell you about the dough.
It be mad sticky yo.
For reals.
Mad sticky.
Since you have to roll it into balls and subsequently flatten and wrap them around the peanut butter filling, I suggest a bit of chillin’ in the refrigerator. A half an hour or more and things will be much more workable. The peanut butter guts, however, are pretty dry. No worries there.
You may be thinking, too much effort. It’s not. I promise. These cookies are so worth the (multiple!) chillings and the extra tender, loving, care.
Trust me. For serious.
Imagine this, brownie meets peanut butter. Brownie loves little old PB so much. Brownie give pb a hug and never lets go. Ever.
That’s what these cookies are. A tasty, chocolatey, peanut buttery hug.
Peanut Butter filled Chocolate Cookies aka Peanut Butter Ninjas
I saw this recipe a few months back and it was entitled Peanut Butter Ninjas–because of the secret PB middles. I bookmarked them and went about my life, but today I decided to make them. So, I dug up the link only to find it defunct. Double Damn. So, I did a quick search and found this recipe, after a little tweaking I came up with this. If you make these I implore you to not skip the chilling process, it will save you some stress and possible gray hairs. Also, when rolling I suggest having some flour or powdered sugar on hand to keep the stickiness to a minimum.
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup peanut butter
2/3 cup confectioners sugar
granulated sugar for sprinkling (optional)
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment or silicone baking mats.
In a medium bowl whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a stand mixer cream butter on medium speed. Add sugars and mix until creamy and incorporated. Add egg and vanilla and mix well, making sure to scrape the bowl.
Add dry ingredients to butter/sugar mixture and pulse mixer in short bursts until dough just comes together. Cover the bowl and place in refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl mix together peanut butter and confectioners sugar to combine. I find that gently microwaving the peanut butter (30 seconds or less) a little helps with incorporating the sugar. You should have a fairly firm peanut butter dough. Using a teaspoon, roll genrous spoonfuls of the peanut butter mixture into balls. Place on a plate and put in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Preheat oven to 350F.
Once the cookie dough is chilled and workable, taking heaping tablespoons full of dough and roll into balls. Place on a plate and put in the freezer for 5-10 minutes until firm, but not frozen.
Remove cookie dough balls from freezer and peanut butter balls from refrigerator. Flatten cookie dough into disks and place a ball of peanut butter in the center. Wrap the edges of the cookie dough around the peanut butter filling and seal, and roll it into a uniform-ish ball. Place cookies on sheet pans and flatten slightly with the palm of your hand, sprinkle with granulated sugar if you like. Place the finished cookies on their pans back into the freezer for 5-10 more minutes–this will keep the cookies from spreading too much.
Remove cookies from freezer and bake for 10-12 minutes. the tops and edges should crackle a bit and dough will still be soft but dry to the touch, dough should not be overly gooey. Remove from oven and cool on a rack for a few minutes before removing from pan to cool completely.
Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets
Mmm this looks fantastic and I love the name–so cute!
vanillasugarblog
well i hate loews. i hate home depot too. if i have to go there i pay my hubby to go for me.
i’d rather eat these cookies too. lol
cindy
dawn, you crack me up! i actually like lowe’s…i know, geek. i could look at paint all day and scheme up projects (for sean!).
Megan
oooh girl, I love love love these cookies.
cindy
megan, you need these in your life!
what katie's baking
oh wooowww!!
i just saw these on foodgawker and was drooling.
then i came to check your site and their YOURS! awesome, these look so delicious cindy!
cindy
thanks katie! they are delicious!
Bonbon Oiseau
These are some stealth little numbers Cindy! Happy almost anniversary!!!!!
cindy
thanks sweet deb!!
allsugarspice
Chocolate chips cookies were on my bake list in the near future. Could these Ninjas replace them? I think so. VERY much so! Happy anniversary and a belated happy birthday Cindy! 🙂
cindy
shirleen, these could definitely stand in for chocolate chip cookies…but, i do love those too! thanks for the birthday wishes 🙂
KitchenChaosGirls
Oh man, these look amazing. We def are adding them to the baking list. I wonder how the peanut butter middle would be if it was white chocolate peanut butter…
cindy
white chocolate peanut butter?! I’m thinking you should go for it…and let me know 🙂
sherri lynn
These look amazing!! Why has it taken me so long to find your blog?! I love your style and your recipes are the kind I would actually want to make 🙂
cindy
bloglandia is vast! everyday i find something great i haven’t before 🙂 this comment makes my day…awesome!
Dwiana
Hello, Stumbling upon your blog and I think you have a great blog. Oh ya… your kitchen props are so cute!
cindy
thanks Dwiana! I thrift and scour bargains for most of my props 🙂
Ozzy
Um. Okay. Making this now. BRB.
cindy
yes!
michele
I have been making these for years, although I call them peanut butter surprise cookies. They have been my nephew’s favorite since he was a little boy — I just sent him a batch to help him survive his first year of college! Please credit the source — this is a Martha Stewart recipe originally. I concur on your advice – refrigerate, refrigerate, refrigerate. I make them over several days, and they still always take longer than I expect (just a warning), but these cookies are worth it!