Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

I love baking any day, but I especially like to get in the kitchen and bake on rainy days.  My 4-year old helped me mix up the dry ingredients and get his hands messy rolling dough into balls on a very wet spring day we recently had.

These cookies are soft and chewy, but sturdy enough to be filled.  These can easily stand alone and are very tasty without the filling.  But they are also delicious filled with your favorite frosting or ice cream.  I had some leftover peanut butter frosting from some cupcakes I recently made, so that's what these are filled with.  The original recipe calls for filling these with a simple mixture of 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar and 1 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural).  (I always use natural even if a recipe specifies not to though.  I've never had a problem with it.)

Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups quick oats
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup peanut butter (I used natural)
1 egg

Your favorite frosting or ice cream, for filling

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. 

2. In a large bowl, add oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Whisk to combine.  Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugars with an electric mixture for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.  Add the vanilla, peanut butter, and egg, and beat for 2 more minutes.

4. Slowly add in the flour mixture and mix until well combined.

5. Roll into 1-inch balls and place on prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart.  Gently pat down tops of the cookie dough to flatten. 

6. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are slightly brown and starting to crisp up.  Remove from oven and let cool completely on baking sheet.

7. Once cookies are cooled, match up cookies that are approximately the same size, and fill with your favorite frosting or ice cream, if desired.


Source: slightly adapted from bromabakery.com via tablefortwoblog.com