Peanut Butter Cup Cookies: Worth the Calories!

peanut butter cup cookies The first time I tasted these cookies at a neighborhood picnic, I was hooked. I tracked down the person who brought them and begged for the recipe. I think I've made them, oh, about a zillion times since.

If you like peanut butter and chocolate, you will love these, as will everyone you make them for. It's hard to improve on the perfection that is a peanut butter cup, but by combining it with a soft, gooey peanut butter cookie, it can be done.

There's nothing low-calorie or low-fat about them, but they are incredibly splurge-worthy.

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk
40 miniature peanut butter cups, unwrapped (great job for kids!)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda; set aside.
Cream together the butter, sugar, peanut butter, and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and milk.
Add the flour mixture; mix well.
Shape into 40 balls and place each into an ungreased mini muffin pan.
Bake at 375 degrees for about 8 minutes.
Remove from oven and immediately press a mini peanut butter cup into each ball. Don't wait or they won't work.

Image via somegeekintn/Flickr