Gluten Free Muddy Buddy Cookies

It's officially Christmas time!!!  Yea!!  I thought I would kick off the season with these easy to make, yet oh so delicious Gluten Free Muddy Buddy Cookies.  They are just like the Muddy Buddy cereal  snack, but made with peanut butter cookies, and just like Muddy Buddies, they are coated in melted chocolate and peanut butter and tossed with powdered sugar.  You won't believe the explosion in your mouth when you take your first bite of these babies!  Make sure, though, to have a glass of milk in hand when eating these Gluten Free Muddy Buddy Cookies!

Gluten Free Muddy Buddy Cookies

 To make it real easy, I started with a gluten free cookie mix, but you could make your own peanut butter cookies.  I used the Hodgson Mill Gluten Free Cookie Mix and followed the directions on the back to make them into peanut butter cookies.

 I have a real hard time when the stores start displaying Christmas things early (like October), and find myself fighting giving in to it all through November, just because I want it to be special all December long and not feel overdone by the time Christmas comes.  I feel it is official now that December 1st has rolled along to fully give in to the season...and boy have I!  The tree is up, the decorations are out and the baking shall begin!  I have so many wonderful treats to share with you this season, so buckle up we are in for a ride (I won't say it is a bumpy ride, though).

Merry Christmas, friends!  Enjoy!

GLUTEN FREE MUDDY BUDDY COOKIES
Recipe From:  Goodies Gone Gluten Free
Adapted from:  Betty Crocker
Click here for printable recipes

1 box of gluten free peanut butter cookie mix or homemade made according to directions
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (6 oz.)
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 to 2 cups powdered sugar

Make cookies according to package directions for peanut butter cookies.  Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper and place dough 2 inches apart.  Bake as directed, until edges are light golden brown.  Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks.  Cool completely.

In small microwaveable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, butter and peanut butter uncovered on high 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds.  Stir until smooth.  Stir in vanilla.  Place 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar in a 1-gallon resealable food-storage bag; set aside.  Place 12 cooled cookies in large bowl.  Pour 1/3 of chocolate mixture over cookies in bowl.  Using rubber spatula, toss cookies gently to coat.  Place cookies in bag with powdered sugar; seal bag.  Gently turn bag to coat remaining chocolate mixture; repeat again until all cookies are coated, adding additional powdered sugar to bag as needed.