Akron native Chef Dick Kanatzar is a new fixture in the kitchen at Vaccaro’s Trattoria in Bath Township, where he’s pleasing guests with his new approach.
My family made this Christmas cookie for me because I was such a Reese’s cup fanatic.
REESE’S CUP COOKIES
1¼ cups all-purpose flour
¾ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
½ cup creamy peanut butter
½ cup sugar
½ cup light brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
48 miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups, unwrapped
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.
Beat together the butter, peanut butter and both sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the egg and vanilla and mix for another minute or so to combine. Reduce the mixer speed to low, add the dry ingredients, and mix until just combined. Give the dough a final mix with a rubber spatula to ensure all of the flour is incorporated.
Shape the dough into 1-inch balls (about 2 teaspoons of dough) and place in the cups of a miniature muffin pan (keep the dough in balls — do not press into the pan).
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until light golden brown and slightly puffy. Remove from the oven and immediately press a miniature peanut butter cup in the middle of each cookie, pressing down so that the top of the peanut butter cup is even with the top of the cookie. Cool for at least 10 minutes before removing from the pans, and let cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Makes 4 dozen.