John and I went to NYC via Mega Bus this past weekend for three nights.  I love taking the Mega Bus places because instead of worrying about being tired and someone having to drive, we can both sleep, read, or listen to music.  Also, if you get tickets far enough in advance they are so cheap! We had beautiful weather while in NYC and were able to spend time with my sister, Tara and her boyfriend Dave.  We also got to see a few of our friends.  My best friend Maria and her husband Rob came from Philly to spend the day with us on Sunday, we had lunch with Johns good friend, Brandon on Monday, and talked to my friend Nick for a couple minutes on the corner of 33rd street.  We ate at a lot of yummy places, ran in the NYC marathon (i.e. we had to cross the street so sprinted across), toured the Brooklyn Brewery and enjoyed their brews, walked on the High Line, Walked around Times Square and Central Park, and watched ice skaters at Bryant Park, just to name a few.

 

We are lucky whenever we go to New York to have my sister show us around and bring us to the little hole in the wall places that we wouldn’t otherwise know about.  She also gives us a place to stay which is always a plus.

 

A couple months ago Tara sent me a recipe for cookies that looked delicious with a message that said “send these to me”.  Although I wasn’t cool enough to send them, I decided to make them for her and bring them with us to NYC.  I’m really glad I did, because they were delicious.  I mean, there are not to many tastes better than chocolate and peanut butter.  These cookies are fairly easy to make, and also pretty impressive especially when you bite into the cookie and find peanut butter filling.  I’d definitely keep this recipe in mind when you’re deciding what Christmas cookies to make this year.  Tara found the recipe on Pennies on a Platter.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies

recipe from Pennies on a Platter

Preheat oven to 375.

Chocolate outside:

-1 1/2 c flour (I used 1 c all purpose and 1/2 c whole wheat)

-1/2 c unsweetened cocoa

-1/2 tsp baking soda

-1/4 tsp salt

-1/2 c granulated sugar

-1/2 c brown sugar

-1/2 c softened butter

-1/4 c peanut butter

-1 tsp vanilla extract

-1 egg

 

stir together dry ingredients  and set aside.

Cream butter and sugar together.  Add vanilla and egg until mixed thoroughly.

gradually stir in flour mixture.

Peanut Butter Filling:

-3/4 c peanut butter

-1/2 c powdered sugar

 

Mix together peanut butter and powdered sugar until smooth.

Assemble:

Take a big teaspoon of cookie dough, roll into a ball, then flatten slightly.

Roll peanut butter filling into a ball then place in cookie dough.

Pinch edges closed and roll into a ball.  Roll in sugar if desired.

Place on cookie sheet.  Flatten slightly with bottom of a cup before baking.

Bake for 7-9 minutes.

Delicious warm and cold!

 

Have you ever been to NYC?  What are your favorite things to do there?