"Your chocolate is in my peanut butter!"

Do you remember those old Reese's Peanut Butter Cup commercials? There are several different versions, but they all have the same premise... one person is eating a chocolate bar, while another person is eating from a jar of peanut butter (gross... and generic peanut butter at that), and the food of each accidentally comes in contact with the other. And thus the Reese's Peanut Butter cup was born. You must admit it's a pretty great combo.

While a jar of peanut butter and a chocolate bar doesn't get me excited, I admit I'm a sucker for a Reese's... not Reeses' Pieces, and not the miniature PB cups, but the original regular-sized ones. (Yes, there is a difference.) But I get very excited around Easter when the Reese's "Eggs" appear in stores. Oh yum! It's the ultimate in chocolate/peanut butter heaven. The miniatures are good for one thing only... and it's pretty darn good. Our family loves what we call "Reese's Cookies" (thanks to my sister, Helena, for the idea).

1) Make your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe.
2) Bake the dough in miniature muffin tins, slightly undercooked.
3) While the cookies are baking, "peel" enough miniature Reese's PB cups (one for each cookie).
4) After removing cookies from oven, immediately press a PB cup into each cookie.
* Tip: Let cool, then gently twist to make it easier to remove.

Here is my favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe, suitable for Reese's Cookies, or just good ol' plain ones.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
(This is a double batch.... why would you make a smaller one? Only bake as much as you want, and freeze the rest.... form balls on a tray and freeze for 30 min., then transfer to plastic bag.)

1 c. (2 cubes) real butter (cold, cut into small pieces)
2 c. dark brown sugar
1 c. sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
4 eggs
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
4 1/2 c. flour
1 (12 oz.) pkg. semi-sweet mini-chocolate chips

Cream butter, sugars, and baking soda in mixer using whisks. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add flour, then chocolate chips. Bake 350 degrees for about 10 min. (depends on cookie size and your oven).