Peanut Butter-Banana Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter-Banana Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies

2/3 cup peanut butter chips
1 small ripe banana, mashed
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup peanut butter
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat cookie sheets with cooking spray.

In a small bowl, microwave peanut butter chips until melted - about 1-1 1/2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. Stir in mashed banana until combined, and place bowl in freezer to cool.

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat; cook for 2-3 minutes, whisking frequently, until butter browns and starts to foam. Remove pan from heat to cool.

In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl, using a mixer on medium speed, beat together browned butter, peanut butter, brown sugar and sugar until creamy - about 1-2 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually beat in flour until combined.

Roll dough into 12 big balls. Flatten the balls to 1/4-inch thickness in the palm of your hand. Divide spoonfuls of peanut butter-banana mixture and place into centers of dough; wrap dough around pb-banana mixture. Place balls onto cookie sheets and make a criss cross pattern onto each ball, using a fork. Evenly sprinkle chocolate chips on top.

Bake 10 minutes or until light golden around edges, but still soft. Cool 2 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool.

Makes 1 dozen big cookies