Peanut Butter Surprise Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites

One of the great perks of being a food blogger is that, when I have a craving, I’ve always got an excuse to make what I want – these Peanut Butter Surprise Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites being the perfect example.

“Oh, sorry, I’ve got to blog something, so I guess I’ll just HAVE to make those cookies I’m craving; what a shame!”

Food blogging lets me justify pretty much any cooking endeavor, no matter how frivolous. The truth is, I’ve been craving chocolate chips cookies for weeks, so I finally decided to make some, and find that Smart Cookie spin so I could share it with you. My Peanut Butter Surprise Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites were a very satisfying result.

These babies are chewy, buttery, and you can eat ‘em in just one or two bites. But the best part is the  surprise in the middle: a pocket of peanut butter filling. It’s a simple combo we love, and always have loved, together in the perfect snack.

There’s no doubt that these Peanut Butter Surprise Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites are made for dunking in milk then popping ‘em into your mouth, but you may be wondering, “What’s MY excuse for making these?” You may not be a blogger, sure, but you do deserve a pick-me-up. What better way to treat yourself than these poppable delights?

In fact, no excuses necessary here. Make ‘em because you want ‘em, period.

A Few Tips Before You Get Cooking:

1. If you want soft cookies, you’ve got to be careful not to overbake. You’ll come to find that cookies are usually already done a minute or two before you think you should take them out.
2. Customize the chocolate chips with whatever you like: dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, etc.
3. Don’t forget to spray the trays! You want to make sure the cookies come out clean.
4. Split your work in half. Make the dough and filling one day then cover and refrigerate both. The next day, assemble and bake!
5. If you DO choose to chill the dough before baking, it will take a few additional minutes to bake.

Peanut Butter Surprise Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites
By The Smart Cookie Cook

Yield – 4 dozen

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 stick (8 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 cups + 2 tbsp. all-purpose four
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray two mini muffin tins with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, mix together peanut butter and powdered sugar until evenly combined. It should be the texture of play-doh. If it seems too sticky, add a bit more powdered sugar. Set aside.
3. In the bowl of a standing mixer, beat together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy. Mix in the egg and vanilla until evenly combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
5. Fold flour mixture into wet mixture in thirds, stirring well in between. Fold in the chocolate chips.
6. Take scant teaspoon’s of dough and press into the bottom of each muffin tin.
   
7. Grab a scant teaspoon of peanut butter filling, roll into a rough ball, and place on top of dough. Cover with another piece of dough, about a scant teaspoon’s worth, completely covering the filling and pressing down lightly.
   
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until puffed and set, and just beginning to turn golden. Let cool completely before removing from trays. Store in an air-tight container.