Makes 3 dozen
Filling:
2 cups creamy peanut butter
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
Cookies:
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Additional sugar for rolling
In a medium bowl, prepare the filling by combining the peanut butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Scoop into small balls about 1-inch in diameter. Put in the freezer until ready to use. (The balls do not need to be frozen, just cold and firm.)
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl, beat together the peanut butter, butter, brown sugar, and sugar for about 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add one egg at a time and the vanilla extract, and mix until thoroughly combined. Next add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until just combined.
To prepare the cookies, roll a heaping tablespoon of dough into a ball, then flatten into a circle. Wrap the dough around one of the chilled peanut butter balls. Pinch the edges together to seal, then roll in the palms of your hands to form a ball.
Roll the cookie dough balls in sugar and place them on a baking sheet (about 1-2-inches apart), flattening each ball slightly with your fingers. Repeat until all of the dough and peanut butter balls are used.
Bake until the cookies are golden on the bottom, about 13-15 minutes. Serve warm for a gooey inside. (But they are just as good at room temperature.) Pack and store in an airtight container.
