Thursday, August 26, 2010

BTS: chocolate chocolate chip peanut butter cookies

This week launched "back to school." While bf laid out his clothes and sharpened pencils to head back to high school [I'm dating an English teacher (swoon!)], I enlisted in a few courses of my own. Sushi-making last night, ice cream-making this weekend, and yesterday I took a blogging class.

My company offers internal courses once in a while, kind of like an in-house adult education program taught by upper executives in subjects ranging in everything from leadership to navigating the corporate ladder. It's a huge benefit and this week I signed up for one that triggered my interest: "Blogging."

It was taught by a leading newspaperman turned TV critic turned blogger at EW.com who was nothing if not completely lovely. The presentation was an hour and a half, and I definitely learned a thing or two. He concluded with some blogging commandments so I thought I'd grade myself tonight:

1. Post every day
2. Create a conversation with your readers
3. Believe in what you blog about

So here goes:

1. OK, this ain't happenin' mostly so I can fit into my jeans this fall (D+)
2. I love hearing what you guys have to say! Comments are LIKE CHRISTMAS! (B)
3. Umm... hello! Friends, I BELIEVE!!! (A+)

In fact, I believe so much in today's recipe that they're my new crack. I know, I know. I've alluded to other addictions before. But these babies... wowza. Maybe I'm a sucker for peanut butter and chocolate (damn Hershey's and their Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!), but the addition of cocoa to the peanut butter cookie is SHEER GENIUS.

I urge you to walk (no, run!) to your standing mixer and get to it. Even if it's 9:45pm at night. Just make sure you have a quick escape plan for the cookies, or else you'll be eating the entire batch yourself.

Reese's Pieces Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
From Neil and Jessica at Kohler Created

1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 cup peanut butter, creamy
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 tbsp. honey
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/3 cups whoe wheat or all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
2 1/4 cups Reese's Pieces, frozen (I used chocolate chips)

Preheat oven to 350 F. Cream butter, peanut butter, sugar, and honey until smooth. Add vanilla and eggs, one at a time, and stir until incorporated.

In a separate bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder and baking soda. Slowly add dry ingredients to the peanut butter mixture. Stir in the Reese's Pieces.

Drop or roll into balls onto cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. (I crossed them with the prongs of a fork, like a peanut butter cookie)

Bake 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool for at least 2 minutes until eating!

4 comments:

Joanne said...

That blogging class sounds interesting! I don't know that I agree with his first stipulation...but the other two - definitely!

These cookies are a dream. I'm a chocolate peanut butter fanatic.

lis said...

Great post! Thanks for sharing the blogging tips. My report card's not looking so good on the first two, but I don't think food bloggers should post every day--totally agree about the jeans. : )

The cookies look and sound so good. I am a sucker for anything with honey in it, and I like that you included the option to use whole wheat flour. I'm intrigued and look forward to trying them!

You might enjoy this recipe if you haven't seen it already. Similar flavors, and the brownies have a great crust with a soft inside. http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/peanut-butter-cup-brownies-10000001630042/index.html

Lis

Emelie said...

Tried these, and think I must have done something wrong as my cookies don't look a thing like yours! They're still delicious, but I'll try again later and see if I can perfect them :)

Also had LOTS of Reese's Pieces left in the bottom of my mixer, so might want to cut back on those next time!

Beth said...

Joanne - I've since made another batch of these and boy, they are deadly! Enjoy but beware of their addictive qualities!

Lis - I love that you sent me a Real Simple recipe :) I've come across that one before and definitely need to give it a shot! Thanks!

Emelie - Sorry yours didn't turn out the same way but glad they were delish regardless! Thanks for reading!

 
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