Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

Happy New Years! 2012 is off to a great start...or maybe I should say a sweet start? Are you stuffed with cookies from this holiday? If so, let this be one last reason to get "stuffed" after the holidays. After you make these, we can all go on a new years diet together!

While chocolate chip cookies may be the classic cookie, this twist will make them even more addicting (if such thing exist)! What's this twist I speak of? Stuffing chocolate chip cookies with goodness! Imagine biting into a warm, soft, chewy chocolate chip cookie only to find a surprise in the middle such as marshmallows, a chocolately brownie, or a sweet cream cheese filling?

The greatest thing about this recipe is its versatility. It is not so much about the recipe but the concept. Basically, I took my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe and I wrapped the cookie dough in several different things. I used different fillings to test which one I liked the best. The three "stuffers" I used were brownies, chocolate chip cream cheese, and marshmallows (see image above - from top to bottom). Needless to say, each combination was absolutely divine. If I had to pick one, it would be the cream cheese filling...that's only because I have a weakness for cream cheese. The brownie gives an added chocolate kick while the marshmallows give the cookies a lighter and chewier fill. Test all of the fillings to see which one you like the best.

Like I previously stated, this recipe is quite versatile. Feel free to use any chocolate chip cookie you like but in case you don't have a favorite recipe yet, you can borrow mine! Have I convinced you to try these cookies yet? If not, maybe these pictures will help!

Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
compliments of Baking Bites

Ingredients
1/2 cup rolled oats (oatmeal)
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
2 large eggs
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Grind oats in a food processor until very fine. Put the oats with the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl and stir to combine.

3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in the vanilla and vinegar, Add eggs in one at a time. Gradually, on low speed, add in the flour mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts by hand.
4. Divide dough into a heaping tablespoon. Flatten into 1/2 inch thick round disk and place 1 teaspoon of the filling.
5.Wrap cookie dough around filling and make sure to pinch the cookie dough close so the filling stays inside during baking. Roll cookie dough into a ball and placed on a greased cookie sheet.
6. Bake cookies for 12-15 minutes or until cookies are golden brown.
7. Let cookies cool on a wire rack.

For chocolate chip cream cheese filling:
Combine 1-8oz package of softened cream cheese, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, and 1 cup of mini chocolate chips with a mixer. Place filling in refrigerator for 30 minutes so the filling is easier to deal with. Not necessary but recommended.

For brownie filling:
Prepare packaged brownie or your own recipe. Be sure to slightly underbake the brownies. This will make the brownies more moldable when you place it in the center of the chocolate chip cookies. Additionally, the brownies will continue to cook when the cookies are baking.

For marshmallow filling:
Place 2-3 marshmallows in the center of the cookies.