Peanut Butter Thumbprints

Peanut Butter Thumbprints

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups creamy or crunch peanut butter
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 3/4 finally chopped peanuts
Thumbprint Filling (recipe follows)

Heat oven to 350. In large mixer bowl, beat butter, brown sugar and peanut butter until well blended. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking powder and baking soda. Gradually add to peanut butter mixture. Shape dough into 1 inch balls roll in peanuts. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until cookies are just set. Press thumb gently in center of each cookie; cool slightly. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely Prepare thumbprint filling. Spoon or pipe about 1/2 teaspoon filling into each thumbprint.  I think grandma used this for the peanut butter blossoms also and instead of using the filling used Hershey Kisses.

Thumbprint Filling
1 package (3 oz) cream cheese
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
1/2 cup powder sugar

In small mixer bowl, beat cream cheese, corn syrup and vanilla until well blended. Add chocolate, beating well. Gradually add powdered sugar; beating until blended and smooth.