Magic in the Middle Cookies

Magic in the Middle Cookies from King Arthur Flour Website

Chocolate Dough
1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar (plus extra for dredging)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk

Peanut butter filling
3/4 cup peanut butter, crunchy or smooth, your choice
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions
• Preheat oven to 375* Lightly grease (or line with parchment) 2 baking sheets
• The Dough:
o In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt
o In another medium-sized mixing bowl, beat together the sugars, butter, and peanut butter until light and fluffy.
o Add the vanilla and the egg, beating to combine, then stir in the dry ingredients, blending well
• The Filling:
o In a small bowl, stir together the peanut butter and powdered sugar until smooth
o With floured hands or a teaspoon scoop, roll the filling into 26 1” balls.
• Shaping the Cookies:
o Scoop 1 TB of dough, make an indentation in the center with your finger, and place one peanut butter ball inside
o Bring the cookie dough up and over the filling, pressing the edges together covering the center
o Roll the cookie to smooth it out.
o Repeat with remaining dough and filling
• Roll each rounded cookie in sugar, and place on prepared baking sheets ever 2 inches
• Grease bottom of a glass, and use it to flatten each cookie to about ½ inch thick.
• Bake for 7-9 minutes, or until they’re set and you can smell chocolate.
• Cool on rack.