Cookie Cups

My friend Cheryl gave me this clever idea of making cookie dough and then pressing it into mini muffin tins to make a cookie cup. Then, you can fill it with a dollop of whatever you like — cream cheese icing, jam, chocolate....be creative.

I made peanut butter cookie cups and filled them with chocolate ganache and crushed peanuts.


Here are some tips:

Be sure to spray your mini muffin tin with nonstick spray to help release the baked cookie cups.

Find a kitchen tool to help press a deeper indentation into the cookies after they've baked. I like to use the round 1-inch end of my spatula.

My perfect tool for pressing an indentation into the baked cookies.

Let the cookies cool before lifting them out of the pan.


Have fun and experiment with interesting flavor combinations. And, please share your ideas with me.


Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cookie Cups 
1 1/4 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg

Cream the peanut butter, shortening, and sugars until well mixed. Beat in the egg and finally add the dry ingredients.

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place in greased mini muffin tins. Press down the ball in the center to make and indentation and force the dough up the sides.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes.

When the cookies come out, immediately press down on the center of the cookie cup to force the indentation to stay. Cool and remove from pans.

Fill with chocolate ganache and crushed peanuts.


Ganache
12 ounces chocolate, chopped into small pieces (chips also work)
1 cup heavy cream

Place the chocolate pieces in a large bowl. Heat the heavy cream on medium high until it comes to a boil. Immediately remove from heat and pour over chocolate.

Stir until the chocolate is melted and glossy. Allow to cool until it's the desired consistency for piping. It's okay to put it in the refrigerator to speed up the process. Keep checking the ganache. If it gets too firm, it will be difficult to pipe.

Pipe or spoon into the cookie cups and top with crushed peanuts. The chocolate with set up more as it cools.