Magic in the Middle Cookies

Magic in the Middle Cookies (from King Arthur Flour Blogspot)

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 confectioners' sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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. (I thought it was easiest to just separate the dough into 26 pieces like the filling so I didn't run out or have lots of leftovers.)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.

4. Roll each rounded cookie in granulated sugar, and place on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between cookies. Use the bottom of a drinking glassto flatten each cookie to about 1/2-inch thick.

5. 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.

Peanut Butter Bars

I can never find this recipe when I "need" it so if I post it at least I will know where to find it.

Bars:

1 Cup soft butter
1 Cup sugar
1 Cup brown sugar
1 cup peanut butter
2 eggs
2 Cups flour
2 cups quick oats
1 tsp soda
1 tsp salt

Cream sugars and butter. Add eggs, peanut butter, flour, soda, salt and oats. Spread on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 15 to 20 minutes. (until light brown)

Frosting:

2/3 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup cocoa
4 cups powdered sugar
3-5 Tbsp milk

whip butter until fluffy then add the rest of the ingredients. Start with a little milk and adjust for texture you want. (I like it thicker) Spread on bars when they are cool.

Re: Gingerbread :)

Okay, so I can't seem to find the recipe we used last year. But I came across this one that looks MUCH better anyways. It probably tastes better than the recipe I used before. Mike liked how it tasted, but I wasn't a big fan. :) Good luck! Make sure to take pictures.

Grandma Ev's soft sugar cookies

I had to beg this lady in town for her sugar cookies recipe and she still wouldn't give it to me. Luckily, I am good friends with her granddaughter who was nice enough to pass it on. I can't make them like her. She must keep some secrets to herself. but they are still yummy.

Soft Sugar Cookies

2 c Sugar
1 1/2 c shortning
3 eggs
1 c milk
1 tsp salt
1 tsp soda
2 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp vanilla
5 cups flour

cream together sugar, shortning, egg and milk. Add Vanilla. Add dry ingredients. Flour amount varies. I start with 4 cups and then add more to make it the consistency that you need. Barely enough so you can roll it out. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.

The one thing I did get out of Grandma Ev is that it makes them flakier the less you handle them. (like pie crusts). She also only makes circle cookies because smaller points tend to cook more or something like that. also don't roll them out too thin.

I would like a good icing recipe..... or tips on making good icing or something.... anyone, anyone?