Day 12 of 25 Days - Magic Peanut Butter Middles

The reason why these are called "magic" is because it's magic how you get the peanut butter layer in the middle of these, oh my goodness these taste so good, cookies.  The peanut butter makes them moist in the center, but the chocolate outside layers have a nice crisp to them.  Better than any peanut butter cup candy out there.  But that's just my opinion.

Magic Peanut Butter Middles

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter, divided
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 firmly packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour (Jules Gluten Free)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup cocoa
3/4 cup sifted confectioners sugar
Granulated sugar for top of cookies

Directions:
In a mixing bowl, beat butter and 1/4 cup peanut butter at medium speed of an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add granulated sugar and brown sugar, beating well.  Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Combine flour, baking soda, and cocoa; gradually add to butter mixture, beating well.  Set aside.

Combine remaining 3/4 cup peanut butter and confectioners sugar, beating until blended.  With floured hands, shape mixture into 1 inch balls.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Shape about 1 tablespoon chocolate mixture around each peanut butter ball.  Place 2 inches apart on un-greased baking sheets.

Dip a flat-bottomed glass into granulated sugar and flatten each ball into a 1-1/2 inch circle.  Bake 10 minutes (cookies will be soft)  Cool slightly on baking sheets; transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

*recipe adapted from The Spirit of Christmas*