Magic in the Middle Cookies

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

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease (or line with parchment) two baking sheets.
2. To make the dough: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.
3. In another medium-sized mixing bowl, beat together the sugars, butter, and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla, whole egg, and egg yolk, beating to combine, then stir in the dry ingredients, blending well.
5. To make the filling: In a small bowl, stir together the peanut butter and confectioners sugar until smooth.
6. With floured hands or a teaspoon scoop, roll the filling into 26 one-inch balls.
7. 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.
8. 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.
10. Roll each rounded cookie in granulated sugar, and place on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between cookies.
11. Grease the bottom of a drinking glass, and use it to flatten each cookie to about 1/2-inch thick.
12. Bake the cookies for 7 to 9 minutes, or until they’re just set and you can smell chocolate. Remove them from the oven, and cool on a rack.

* Who does not love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter?! These cookies were super yummy! Neither the chocolate nor the peanut butter flavors were overpowering. I love the surprise of the creamy peanut butter in the middle. They were quick and easy to make and fun for my toddler to help roll the balls into circles and roll them in the sugar. These cookies are winners!

* Photo and Recipe from Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Burrito Casserole

UPDATE:  Lawry's took the Chimichurri seasoning off the market! :-(

1 lb. ground beef
1 15 oz can black beans
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
1 1/2 C water
1 1.4 oz package Lawry's Chimichurri Burrito Casserole seasoning
8 flour tortillas
1 1/2 C shredded Mexican Cheese blend

1. In a large skillet, brown ground beef. Season with salt and pepper.
2. When beef is browned, drain fat. Drain and rinse black beans and add them to browned beef.
3. In a small mixing bowl, mix together water, tomato sauce, and Lawry's seasoning packet.
4. Pour 1 cup of the red sauce into your beef and bean mixture. Stir to incorporate.
5. Fill each tortilla with some of the meat mixture.
6. Roll tortilla up. Lay it in 9x13 pan, greased with cooking spray. Repeat with other 7 tortillas.
7. Pour the rest of the red sauce over the top of the rolled burritos.
8. Cover with cheese.
9. Bake at 350* for 15 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted.
10. Serve with desired topping such as, lettuce, tomatoes, green onions, salsa, avocado, fresh diced tomatoes, cilantro, and sour cream.

* I don't think a recipe could get any more simple than this one. It was quick to prepare and quick to cook. The end result was a delicious and tasty dish! We served it with salsa, sour cream, cilantro, and lettuce. It was very filling and satisfying and will be repeated in our home again!

Recipe & photo from Jamie Cooks It Up!

Mom's Sugar Cookies

3/4 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt

Chill at least one hour. Roll out and cut. Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 400* for 6-8 minutes.

* This is the only sugar cookie recipe that we really love. It's the same one I grew up making time after time with my mom. They produce such a delicious sugar cookie and are perfect for decorating with my mom's famous homemade frosting. You can't get any better than these!