Deluxe Sticky Ooey-Gooey Peanut Butter Cookies

I had a friend come over for lunch. Then while the kids played we made these cookies for enrichment later that night. This is my absolute FAVORITE cookie of all time. They are indulgent, over the top, and they never fail to make me smile.
DELUXE STICKY OOEY-GOOEY PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

Cookie Dough
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup butter flavored shortening
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 TBSP vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups chopped miniature Reese's cups

Ooey-Gooey Filling
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
2 TBSP light corn syrup
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

Preheat oven to 350. Stack two baking sheets together and line top with parchment paper or spray with nonstick cooking spray.

In a mixer bowl, cream butter and shortening together. Add peanut butter and both sugars. Mix well. Mix in eggs and vanilla. With a wooden spoon fold in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to make a soft dough. Fold in chocolate chips and peanut butter cups.

For ooey-gooey filling: In a food processor, blend all ingredients together 2 to 3 minutes to make a paste that holds together.

For each cookie, form a golf ball size round of dough. Put on prepared baking sheet and gently make a well in the middle of the cookie. Dollop a spoonful of filling in well and press down lightly.

Bake until just set. About 15 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Makes 15 to 18 big cookies.

Don't be afraid to make these big. The size enhances the texture of the cookie and they look more impressive.

Think of me when you take your first bite(and when you're at the gym working off that first bite)!!!

Recipe from A Passion for Baking