Peanut Butter Delights

Total Time

Prep: 40 min. + chilling Bake: 15 min. + cooling

Makes

about 5 dozen

Updated: Sep. 23, 2022
With their chocolate-dipped bottoms, peanut butter thumbprint filling and pretty chocolate drizzle on top, these cookies are fancy and fun! "The recipe is one of my mother's," writes Jennifer Moran of Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar, divided
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • FILLING:
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2-1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
  • TOPPING:
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 6 tablespoons baking cocoa
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, cream the shortening, butter, peanut butter, 1 cup sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
  2. Roll into 1-1/2-in. balls; roll in remaining sugar. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Using the end of a wooden spoon handle, make an indentation in the center of each ball.
  3. In a small bowl, beat peanut butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in the sugar, egg yolk and vanilla. Spoon about 3/4 teaspoon of filling into each indentation.
  4. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until firm to the touch. Remove to wire racks to cool.
  5. In a microwave, melt the chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Dip bottoms of cookies in chocolate; allowing excess to drip off. Place chocolate side up on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate until set.
  6. For topping, in a large saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in confectioners' sugar and cocoa. Gradually add water, whisking until smooth. Stir in vanilla. Drizzle over tops of cookies. Chill until chocolate is set. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

2 each: 347 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 176mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (32g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.