Peanut Butter Brownie Cookies

A delicious rich tasting soft cookie that is quick and easy to make. If you love brownies or peanut butter give these a try. The original recipe (Pillsbury Bake Off - 41 Contest submitted by Deb McGowan) calls for 1-cup peanut butter and 1 cup powder sugar. I had lots left over so I have decreased it to 3/4 cup each on this recipe. The 1st batch I didn't press the peanut butter ball down enough but still tasted great. Make sure you let them cool as the peanut butter holds the heat and you may burn your mouth.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 24

Ingredients

• 1 (19 1/2ounce) box  fudge brownie mix
• 1⁄4 cup butter or 1⁄4 cup margarine, melted
• 4  ounces  softened cream cheese
• 1  egg
• 3⁄4 cup powdered sugar
• 3⁄4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 8  ounces cans  ready to spread  chocolate fudge frosting (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Beat Brownie mix, melted butter, cream cheese and egg with spoon until well blended (dough will be sticky).
3. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet to make 24 cookies.
4. Place approximately 2 inches apart.
5. In another bowl mix peanut butter and powdered sugar with spoon until mixture forms a ball.
6. With hands, roll teaspoonfuls peanut butter mixture into 24 balls.
7. Lightly press 1 ball into center of each ball of dough.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 14 minutes or until edges are set.
9. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets.
10. Cool at least 30 minutes.
11. Spread thin layer of frosting over peanut butter portion of each cooled cookie (frosting optional).