Maryland homemaker's cookies win $1 million Bake-Off prize

The $1 million winner in this year's Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest was Double-Delight Peanut Butter Cookies, entered by Carolyn Gurtz of Gaithersburg, Md., a homemaker who loves to bake. The recipe also won the Jif Peanut Butter Award, worth an additional $5,000.

Winners were announced Tuesday in Dallas, where the 43rd contest was held at the Fairmont Hotel and Resort. Representing Oklahoma in the contest were Sherrie Reid of Jenks and Jennifer Howeth of Newcastle.

America's Favorite Recipe Award, given to the recipe with the most online votes, was Toffee Banana Brownies, entered by Gwen Beauchamp of Lancaster, Texas. That award was worth $5,000.

The winning recipe follows.

Makes 24 cookies

¼ cup dry roasted peanuts, finely chopped (Fisher brand used)

¼ cup granulated sugar (Domino or C&H brands suggested)

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ cup creamy peanut butter (Jif brand used)

½ cup powdered sugar (Domino or C&H brands suggested)

1 roll (16.5 ounces) create ‘n bake refrigerated peanut butter cookies, well chilled (Pillsbury brand used)

•Heat oven to 375 degrees. In small bowl, mix chopped peanuts, granulated sugar and cinnamon; set aside.

•In another small bowl, stir peanut butter and powdered sugar until completely blended. Shape mixture into 24 (1-inch) balls.

•Cut roll of cookie dough into 12 slices. Cut each slice in half crosswise to make 24 pieces; flatten slightly. Shape 1 cookie dough piece around 1 peanut butter ball, covering completely. Repeat with remaining dough and balls.

•Roll each covered ball in peanut mixture; gently pat mixture completely into balls. On ungreased large cookie sheets, place balls 2 inches apart. Spray bottom of drinking glass with nonstick spray; press into remaining peanut mixture. Flatten each ball to ¼-inch thickness with bottom of glass. Sprinkle any remaining peanut mixture evenly on tops of cookies, gently press into dough.

•Bake 7-12 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool 1 minute and remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Store tightly covered.

•Nutrition facts per cookie: 150 calories, 7 g total fat (1½ g saturated fat and ½ g trans fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 125 mg sodium, no dietary fiber, 11 g sugars, 17 g carbohydrates and 3 g protein.

•Source: Pillsbury.