Candy Centered Chocolate Cookies

I have become quite the cookie monster as of late.

I never really thought I would turn out this way, but one by one, the most amazing cookies seem to be finding their way into my mouth, which sends me hunting for their recipes.

I work at a school {in the Development Office of this great place}.

It is a special place.

There are a lot of amazing (and important) reasons why it is so wonderful, but this might not be known as one of them.

Every Wednesday, parents bring treats for the faculty and staff.  Yep, that's right, every Wednesday.  It is quite the treat.

These showed up one day and I have to admit, I would have easily passed by a chocolate cookie, but a coworker let me in on the secret that there was a candy center.

That was enough to intrigue and one bite in, I knew I had to have the recipe.

First bite... a little bit of chocolate and crunchy pecans.  Second bite, you find yourself smack dab in the middle of a Reese's (or Rolo) and oh, are you happy to be there.

From my little kitchen to yours... Enjoy.

Candy Centered Chocolate Cookies
Recipes

*dough needs to be refrigerated for an hour before baking
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 1/4 cup flour
3/4 cup cocoa
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup chopped pecans
35 Rolos or Reese's Peanut Buttercups (or a mix)

parchment paper

Step by Step
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Beat butter until creamy and fluffy, gradually add sugar and eggs, beat well.  

In a separate bowl add flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Gradually add to butter mixture.  Add vanilla and pecans.  Cover and refrigerate for an hour.

Using a tablespoon, roll balls of cookie dough.  Smash into a small circular disk.  Place desired chocolate candy on the middle of each disk.  Wrap cookie dough around candy, covering candy completely and roll into a ball.  Add a little extra dough to cover the candy if necessary. 

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Place dough balls 2 inches apart.  Bake for 8 minutes, until edges are set.  

Makes 35 cookies.

My favorite was the Reese's, but given the choice, I will always be a chocolate & peanut butter girl.