Peanut Butter Sandwich Bites

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut in pieces 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed1 egg 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup peanut butter, chunky or smoothFilling 1/2 cup peanut butter 1/2- 3/4 cup powdered sugarCream butter until smooth and fluffy in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add granulated and brown sugars; mix well. Add egg and vanilla; mix.In separate bowl, sift flour with baking soda and salt; add to mixer in two or three batches, mixing after each addition. Add peanut butter and mix well.Heat oven to 400 degrees.Shape cookie dough into 1/2-inch balls and place on greased or nonstick cookie sheets 1 inch apart. Bake until light golden brown, about 5-8 minutes. Let cool on pan.In a mixing bowl combine remaining peanut butter and powdered sugar to make a spreadable filling. To make sandwiches, turn half of cookies over so smooth side faces up. With a small spatula or pastry bag with plain tip, place a dab of filling on the cookies; top with remaining cookies. Chill until ready to serve.Makes 60 cookies.Chef's note: Sometimes we make the balls 1/4-inch and reduce baking time by a minute to make then even smaller and cuter. The recipe will yield twice as many then.Gale Gand, Tru, Chicago