These are two really fabulous recipes. I noticed many chocolate suggestions, so I went with something a bit different.
Bengal Cookies
Cookie Batter:
1 c unsalted peanuts
6 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces
1 c creamy peanut butter
3/4 c sugar
1/4 lb unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 egg
2 ts vanilla extract
1 1/4 c flour
1/8 ts salt
PB Topping:
1 1/4 c creamy peanut butter
1/4 c confectioners sugar
Chocolate Drizzle:
8 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces
Preheat the oven to 325F
1.Toast the peanuts on a baking sheet in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool the nuts to room temperature, then finely chop them in a food processor to make crumbs.
2.Heat 6 ounces of semisweet chocolate in the top half of the double broiler and use a rubber spatula to stir the chocolate until completely melted and smooth. Transfer the melted chocolate to a 1-quart bowl and set aside.
3.Place 1 c peanut butter, granulated sugar and butter in a large bowl. Beat on medium for 2 minutes until soft. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
4.Add the egg and the vanilla extract and mix for 3 minutes until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the chocolate and the chopped peanuts and mix on medium until incorporated, about 1 minute.
5.On low, gradually add the flour and the salt. After all of the ingredients have been incorporated, use a spatula to finish mixing the ingredients until smooth. Transfer the dough to a cutting board.
6.Divide the dough into 2 equal portions. With both palms, roll each portion on a clean, dry cutting board to form each portion into a cylinder that is 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Individually wrap each portion in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours, or until the dough is very firm to the touch.
7.Slice each dough cylinder into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Divide the slices onto baking sheets. Bake for 16-18 on the center rack. Halfway through the baking time, turn each slice. Remove the cookies from the oven and cool to room temperature on the baking sheet, about 30 minutes.
PB Topping
1.Place 1 1/4 cups peanut butter and the confectioners sugar in a medium bowl. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds. Use a rubber spatula to scrap down the sides of the bowl, then beat on high for 1 minute. Finish mixing the ingredients until smooth. Set the topping aside while making the chocolate drizzle.
Chocolate Drizzle:
1.Heat 6 ounces of semisweet chocolate in the top half of the double broiler and use a rubber spatula to stir the chocolate until completely melted and smooth. Transfer the melted chocolate to a 1-quart bowl and set aside.
Assembly:
1.Place a heaping teaspoon of creamy topping in the center of each cookie. Use a small spatula or butter knife to spread the topping evenly over the top of each cookie.
2.Arrange the cookies close together on a piece of wax paper or parchment paper. Use a teaspoon to drizzle thin lines of melted chocolate onto the top of each cookie. Keep the cookies at room temperature for 30 minutes to allow the chocolate to harden.
Bourbon Maple Bars
Batter:
1 c Unbleached AP flour
1 ts Baking powder
1 c Unsalted Butter, softened
1 c Light brown sugar, packed
2 Eggs
1 ts Vanilla extract
1 c Maple syrup
4 tb Bourbon
1 c Pecans or walnuts, chopped
Glaze:
1 c Confectioners' sugar
2 tb Maple sugar
2 tb Bourbon
Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly butter a 13 x 9 baking pan.
1.Sift together the flour and bakng powder, set aside.
2.In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer until light. Gradually beat in the eggs and vanilla until blended.
3.Combine the maple syrup and bourbon, and then add in a slow, steady stream, beating gently until blended.
4.Stir in the flour mixture until blended. Add the pecans or walnuts, stir to blend.
5.Spread the batter in the prepared pan. Bake for 35 minutes, or until the edges begin to pull away from the sides of the pan. Cool on a wire rack, and glaze the bars while still warm.
6.For glaze, sift the confectioners' sugar into a small bowl. In a separate bowl, stir together the maple syrup and bourbon. Add the liquids to the confectioners' sugar, stirring until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the warm bar cookies, spreading it into a thin, even layer. Cool thoroughly before cutting into bars.