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CHOCOLATE PUDDLES

The variations on this original recipe are almost endless. For double chocolate puddles, use semisweet chocolate chips for the white chips. Make peanut butter puddles by substituting peanut butter chips and peanuts for the white chips and mixed nuts.

—KATHIE GRIFFIN ANTELOPE, CA


PREP: 25 MIN. + CHILLING • BAKE: 10 MIN./BATCH • MAKES: ABOUT 5 DOZEN

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup baking cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

FILLING

1 cup white baking chips

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk

3/4 cup finely chopped mixed nuts

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa and baking soda; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until dough is stiff.

2. Meanwhile, for filling, heat chips and milk in a heavy saucepan over low heat until chips are melted, stirring constantly. Stir in nuts. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle.

3. Roll cookie dough into 1 1/4-in. balls. Place 2 in. apart on lightly greased baking sheets. Using the end of a wooden spoon handle, make an indentation in the center; smooth any cracks.

4. Roll filling into 1/2-in. balls; gently push one into each cookie. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until cookies are set. Remove to wire racks to cool.