Magic in the Middle Cookies

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) 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 (3 ounces) confectioners' sugar

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Lightly grease (or line with parchment) two baking sheets.

To make the dough:
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.
- In another medium-sized mixing bowl, beat together the sugars, butter, and peanut butter until light and fluffy.
-Add the vanilla and the egg, beating to combine, then stir in the dry ingredients, blending well.

To make the filling:
-In a small bowl, stir together the peanut butter and confectioners sugar until smooth.

With floured hands or a teaspoon scoop, roll the filling into 26 one-inch balls.
To shape the cookies:
- Scoop 1 tablespoon of the dough (a lump about the size of a walnut), make an indentation in the center with your finger and place one of the peanut butter balls into the indentation.
- Bring the cookie dough up and over the filling, pressing the edges together cover the center; roll the cookie in the palms of your hand to smooth it out.
- Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
- Roll each rounded cookie in granulated sugar, and place on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between cookies.
- Grease the bottom of a drinking glass, and use it to flatten each cookie to about 1/2-inch thick.
- Bake the cookies for 7 to 9 minutes, or until they're set and you can smell chocolate.
- Remove them from the oven, and cool on a rack.

Source: http://www.mynameissnickerdoodle.com/