Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

I think this week is dragging because I am so ready to be on vacation.  The weather has also been unbelievably gorgeous.  I sit facing a huge window at work so I definitely know when I am missing out on the sunshine.

When I think of the 4th of July, I think of sunshine and picnics.  I guess this would be a perfect world scenario.  I also think that the most perfect, classic picnic dessert is cookies.  But as we all know I have a very fond spot in my heart for cookies, so this may be a biased opinion.  To prepare for the upcoming 4th weekend I had to create some fantastic cookies. 

These pretty much hit the spot right on.  They are soft and chewy, a hint of chocolate and a bit of peanut butter.  Yep, a little bit of 4th of July heaven.    

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Cookies
adapted from Annie's Eats

Ingredients:
2 cups plus
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
8 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled until warm
1/4 cup applesauce
1 cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ cup peanut butter cups

Directions:

Preheat oven 325°. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Whisk dry ingredients together in a medium bowl; set aside. With electric mixer mix butter and sugars until thoroughly combined. Beat in egg, yolk, and vanilla until combined. Add dry ingredients and beat at low-speed just until combined. Stir in peanut butter cups.

Bake for 12 minutes spinning cookie sheets half way through cooking time.  Leave cookies on baking sheet for 10 minutes before removing.  Cookies will be a light golden brown and centers are still soft.