million dollar cookies

I've been wanting to make these cookies since I saw them on Oprah a few weeks ago. Lest you think I sit around watching Oprah every afternoon, let me set you straight. I do not. I'm pretty sure my kiddos were blessing me with super long naps that day. And no way I'm waking them up so that they'll keep their regular bedtimes so...I watched Oprah. I'm glad I did.

I'm calling them million dollar cookies. The lady who won the million dollar grand prize from the Pillsbury Bake-Off because of them says they're Double-Delight Peanut Butter Cookies. Either way, they're so good. The best thing about them is that you get to use refrigerated cookie dough. Woo hoo! Here's the recipe (and go here for a yummy picture).

Ingredients

1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts, finely chopped
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup Jif Creamy Peanut Butter
1/2 cup confectioners' powdered sugar
1 roll Pillsbury Create 'n Bake refrigerated peanut butter cookies, well chilled.

Procedure

1. Heat oven to 375°F. In small bowl, mix chopped peanuts, granulated sugar, and cinnamon; set aside.

2. In another small bowl, stir peanut butter and powdered sugar until completely blended. Shape mixture into 24 (1-inch) balls.

3. Cut roll of cookie dough into 12 slices. Cut each slice in half crosswise to make 24 pieces; flatten slightly. Shape 1 cookie dough piece around 1 peanut butter ball, covering completely. Repeat with remaining dough and balls.

4. Roll each covered ball in peanut mixture; gently pat mixture completely onto balls. On ungreased large cookie sheets, place balls 2 inches apart. Spray bottom of drinking glass with no-stick cooking spray; press into remaining peanut mixture. Flatten each ball to 1/4-inch thickness with bottom of glass. Sprinkle any remaining peanut mixture evenly on tops of cookies; gently press into dough.

5. Bake 7 to 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Let cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Store tightly covered.

The reviews are in.

Danny: He sniffed his cookie two times and declared, "Something smells deeee-wish-us!" I said, "I know! Does it taste like a million bucks?" Danny took a bite and replied, "Yah! It does!"

Kris: When I placed the cookie in front of Kris, he looked at it and said, "I only like peanut butter, not cookies," and then left the table. I almost ate his cookie for him, but I knew he'd reconsider. He did. He came back a few minutes later and ate the whole cookie rather quickly. I asked the same question I had asked Danny. "Does it taste like a million bucks?" His reply, "No, just peanut butter." Then he asked for another one. He ate that one rather quickly too. When he was finished, he said, "Mmmmmm. That was bean-o-mock-a-row-no!" Not being familiar with this phrase, I asked what it meant. "It means thank you!"

Me: I'll make these again. The little ball of peanut butter and powdered sugar inside is genius. I suggest eating them when they're still warm. Oh, so good. They're still good the next day (if yours last that long) but they were perfect just out of the oven. The only thing that would make them better would be if they had been drizzled, dipped, dunked or doused with chocolate. Then they'd be Triple-Delight for sure.

Cate: Mama wouldn't let me eat one. She gave me noodles instead.