I will also add that we've put miniature Reese's cups and Milky Way Midnight in the cookies, but they just don't have the right consistency. Please try your own concoctions and share your thoughts!
Active: 45 minutes
Cook: 26 minutes (13 minutes per tray, 2 at a time)
Refrigeration Time: at least 2 hours
Yield: Approx. 4 dozen
Ingredients:
- 2 sticks butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
- 3 1/2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 48 miniature Milky Ways
- 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate bits (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon shortening (optional)
Directions:
- Combine butter, peanut butter, and both sugars in a large mixing bowl. Using a mixer, beat on low to medium speed until light and fluffy. In a small bowl, beat eggs slightly. Add vanilla to the eggs; mix until combined. Add egg mixture to the peanut butter mixture. Combine 1/2 cup flour with baking soda and salt. Add this to the peanut butter. Mix in the remaining 3 cups of flour until just combined. Divide dough into 4 equal pieces, and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 2-3 hours or overnight.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper (or lightly grease your cookie sheet). Remove one part of dough from plastic wrap and slice into 12 equal pieces. Taking one of the pieces in your hand, flatten it slightly. Place 1 piece of candy in the center of the dough and use your hands to mold the dough around the chocolate to seal it inside. Place on your prepared baking sheet. 12 cookies will fit on a sheet, but space them evenly apart, as they will puff up a bit. Bake 12-14 minutes, or until lightly golden on the edges.
- Let the cookies cool for a few minutes, and then transfer to a cooling rack.
- (Optional Step) Place chocolate bits and crisco in a microwaveable bowl and melt on high for 30 seconds. Stir and melt an additional 30 seconds. Repeat if necessary. Place chocolate in a pastry bag fitted with a very small circular tip. Drizzle chocolate on the cookies however you would like! (If I split the batch between Milky Way and Snickers bars, I will write an 'M' or 'P' on top of the cookies to differentiate.)
Source: Lynn Palmer Homemade