Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies

My family loves these cookies. They have a soft brownie-like texture the first day and then get crispier the following day (if they last that long!). Source: marthastewart.com

• Ready In: 41 mins
• Yields: 36 cookies

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 4  tablespoons butter, room temperature
• 1  cup light-brown sugar, packed
• 2  large eggs
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄3 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
• 36  miniature peanut butter cups, chilled and unwrapped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 deg. Using an electric mixer, cream peanut butter and butter in a mixing bowl until smooth. Add brown sugar; beat until combined. Add eggs and vanilla, and beat until incorporated.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. With mixer on low speed, gradually beat in flour mixture in two batches.
3. Scoop off dough by the tablespoon; roll into balls. Place granulated sugar on a plate or in a small bowl and roll dough balls in sugar, coating completely. Place 2 inches apart on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
4. Bake cookies until they start to puff up slightly, about 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and press one peanut butter cup into the center of each cookie. Return to the oven and continue baking until cookies are golden brown and chocolate has begun to melt, about 6 minutes more. Let cool at least 10 minutes on baking sheet before transferring cookies to rack to cool completely.