CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER SURPRISE COOKIES

Chocolate Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Yield Makes about 3 1/2 dozen

Number Of Ingredients 12

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2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup Dutch cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup pure vegetable shortening
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups light-brown sugar, firmly packed
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter

Steps:

Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, shortening, granulated sugar, and 1 cup light-brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing until fully combined between each addition. Add vanilla, and beat to combine. Gradually add dry ingredients, and mix on low speed until fully combined. Remove from mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in chocolate chips. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, and chill until firm, about 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with Silpats (nonstick French baking mats) or parchment paper.
In a small bowl, using a rubber spatula, stir together peanut butter and remaining 1/4 cup light-brown sugar.
Using a 1 1/4-inch scoop or heaping tablespoon, drop dough onto prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Make a thumbprint in the center of each cookie. Fill thumbprint with 1 teaspoon peanut-butter mixture. Top with a second scoop of dough, and carefully mold dough to cover "surprise."
Bake until firm, about 12 minutes. Transfer sheets to wire racks to cool for 5 minutes, then transfer cookies to racks.