Surprise Cookies

I usually don't get a very good mental image when a food title has the word "surprise" in it. Like it's a surprise because you really don't want to know what it is. But this is a good surprise. A fluffy, white, sticky surprise that goes wonderfully with chocolate. The surprise is a marshmallow! On top of a chocolate cookie, hiding under chocolate frosting. I also took some of these a little step further and added sprinkles and coconut to some. I liked it best with the coconut. You could also try nuts if you feel inclined. I thought these were better the next day after the frosting got a little stiffer.

Surprise Cookies

from Martha Stewarts Cookies book via Barbara Bakes

Ingredients: (Makes about 2 dozen)

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 large egg

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

12 large marshmallows, cut in half horizontally

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg, milk, and vanilla, and beat until well combined. Add reserved flour mixture; mix on low speed until combined.

3. Using a tablespoon or 1 3/4-inch ice cream scoop, drop dough onto ungreased baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. Bake until cookies begin to spread and become firm, 8 to 10 minutes. (I think next time I'll only bake them 7 minutes)

4. Remove baking sheets from oven, and place a marshmallow, cut-side down, in the center of each cookie, pressing down slightly. Return to oven, and continue baking until marshmallows begins to melt, 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

5. Spread about 1 tablespoon of frosting over each marshmallow, starting in the center and continuing outward until marshmallow is covered.

Chocolate Frosting

3 cups confectioners' sugar

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled

1/4 cup plus 1 1/2 t. cocoa powder

1/4 cup plus 2 T. milk

3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

Place confectioners' sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk in butter and cocoa powder. Add milk and vanilla, and whisk until well combined.