The Last Days of Sanity

What I mean is the last days of the year and the last week of winter break is upon us. Time to get in some final sleeping, movie watching, stress free morning Yoga sessions, home work free evenings and baking, and get my list of crock pot ready meals together, can you say dinner ready when you walk in the door!?! Yes please :)

   But before I get into the haze that is Winter Quarter, I'll share with you some very versatile tasty cookies. The original recipe I found for these called for chocolate covered caramels, but I had miniature peanut butter cups on hand and my man loves his peanut butter. I later tried them with crushed up peppermint/peppermint bark ( pictured below ) and they were also a hit. 

   Take away message: These are some good chocolate cookies that will work with anything!

Stuffed Chocolate Cookies 

   2 3/4 cup flour

   3/4 cup cocoa powder

   1 teaspoon baking soda

   1 cup softened butter

   1 cup sugar

   1 cup brown sugar

   1/4 teaspoon salt

   2 eggs

   2 teaspoons vanilla

   *Fillings: around 3 dozen miniature peanut butter cups, caramels, chocolate covered fruit, or crushed candy, whatever you have around

   Beat the butter for about 30 seconds, then add in the sugars until combined. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and vanilla. Follow with the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. If using crushed candy, add it in now. If the dough seems to soft to work with chill for about an hour.

   Preheat your oven to 375F and begin shaping the dough into 1 inch balls or so. Press in your filling and enclose. Bake for 8-10 minutes, two inches apart. 

   For an added treat, drizzle melted chocolate or caramel over the cookies, maybe even a sprinkle of course sea salt!

   Another awesome Christmas gift this year.... The Whole Foods Market Cookbook. I will have to dig in and share some of it's awesomeness. ( Maybe even a look at my kitchen resources... )

   Until next time, relax and get in that kitchen!