The Importance of Magic Middles in Storytelling: A Deep Dive

By admin

Magic middles are a concept that can be applied to various creative endeavors, including writing, filmmaking, and even cooking. In storytelling, the middle part of a narrative is often considered the most challenging to create and maintain interest. This is where the concept of "magic middles" comes into play. Magic middles refer to the section of a story or a script that bridges the gap between the beginning and the climax. It is the phase where characters undergo growth, conflicts are developed, and suspense is built leading to the ultimate climax of the story. In writing, the magic middle is often the part where writers can face difficulties in keeping the readers engaged and avoiding the dreaded "sagging middle" syndrome.



Magic in the Middles

Reminiscent of a chocolate peanut butter cup candy (or a buckeye, if you're into homemade candies), this recipe is one that's been making the rounds for years. We guarantee these will disappear in a snap, whatever the audience: from hungry kids after a soccer game, to your co-workers gathered around the office coffeepot!

Prep 45 mins Bake 7 to 9 mins Total 55 mins Yield 26 filled cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups (180g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
  • 1/2 cup (43g) unsweetened cocoa, Dutch-process or natural
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon table salt
  • 1/2 cup (99g) granulated sugar, (plus extra for dredging)
  • 1/2 cup (106g) light brown sugar or dark brown sugar, packed
  • 8 tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup (67g) peanut butter, smooth
  • 1 teaspoon King Arthur Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 1 large egg

Peanut butter filling

  • 3/4 cup (204g) peanut butter, crunchy or smooth, your choice
  • 3/4 cup (85g) confectioners' sugar

Instructions

Bake Mode Prevent your screen from going dark as you follow along.
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease (or line with parchment) two baking sheets.
  2. To make the dough: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.
  3. In another medium-sized mixing bowl, beat together the sugars, butter, and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and the egg, beating to combine.
  4. Stir in the dry ingredients, blending well.

Perfect your technique

Blog
Magic in the Middles
By Susan Reid

Tips from our Bakers

The most reliable way to make sure you have equal amounts of filling and chocolate dough is to use a cookie scoop. Our teaspoon scoop yields exactly 26 fillings when scooped with the dough level across the top. Our tablespoon scoop when filled level will yield exactly 26 chocolate blobs of dough to match.

If you're doubling this recipe, add an extra egg to the chocolate dough.

If you're making this dough ahead of time, add an 2 tablespoons of milk to the chocolate dough. It tends to dry out as it sits, and the extra moisture will keep the outside dough from cracking as you form the cookies.

Share
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share by Email
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on Linkedin

Magic Middles Chocolate Cookies Product of Kamal's Kitchen®

If you know, you know. Taste the joy of this resurrected classic. Whether it's your first time or just your first time in a long time - magic middles are a flavor you'll never forget.

Crispy Shortbread Cookies

9 crisp, buttery shortbread cookies with that classic, magic taste. Magic Middles Chocolate Cookies are Individually wrapped so you can pack in a lunch, purse or pocket

Creamy Chocolatey Filling

Each crispy bite is filled with mounds of creamy chocolatey goodness that brings back the retro flavor of childhood.

Let's Connect

The Magic

The 90's

As a kid in the 90s, Kamal loved cookies and snack cakes. The cookies that made him happiest were Magic Middles The crisp buttery outside, with creamy chocolate filling was Sublime. Now as a world renowned pastry chef, Kamal is bringing back the treat that made his childhood such a delight.

Recreated by Kamal's Kitchen®

Chef Kamal Grant, founder of sublime donuts, rebooted his lost childhood love - the magic middle.

A family recipe combined with the classic taste, this cookie is a delicious reformulation with an

expert pastry chef's twist.

Veteran Owned

Kamal’s Kitchen is a small veteran owned business enterprise, we are committed to generating customer value that provides new market opportunities. We self perform all work and production and maintain a 24 hour special hotline for our commercial customers as an added value.

Our team represents a multicultural, multiracial staff dedicated to customer service through sustainable business practices.

Giving As We Grow

Because Kamal received help from so many in his life, he believes in giving back to help others thrive. A portion of all proceeds go to charities for ending poverty & supporting other black owned businesses.

Magic Peanut Butter Middles

Chocolate cookie with a surprise peanut butter center.

Recipe by Stephanie Updated on July 14, 2022 Save Saved! View All Saved Items Rate Share Add Photo 132 Servings: Yield: 30 cookies Jump to Nutrition Facts

In writing, the magic middle is often the part where writers can face difficulties in keeping the readers engaged and avoiding the dreaded "sagging middle" syndrome. To prevent this, authors can employ various techniques such as subplots, character development, and escalating tension. It is crucial to introduce new conflicts, obstacles, or revelations that drive the story forward.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • ½ cup soft margarine
  • ¼ cup peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • ¾ cup confectioners' sugar
  • ¾ cup peanut butter
Magic middles

Similarly, in filmmaking, the magic middle is the part where a film can lose its audience's attention if not handled well. Filmmakers use various techniques such as pacing, visual effects, and engaging dialogue to keep the viewers invested in the story. It is also common to introduce plot twists or unexpected turns to maintain suspense and intrigue. Cooking also has its own version of magic middles. When preparing a meal, the middle part can be the most critical to achieving the desired taste and texture. It is during this stage that flavors meld together and develop depth. Chefs use techniques such as seasoning, marinating, and simmering to create the "magic" that elevates the dish from ordinary to extraordinary. In essence, magic middles are all about maintaining interest, suspense, and engagement in any creative endeavor. It is that crucial phase where the groundwork laid in the beginning starts building towards the grand finale. Whether it's writing, filmmaking, or cooking, the magic middles are where the true artistry and creativity shine..

Reviews for "The Power of Conflict in the Middle: How to Create Unforgettable Moments"

1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with Magic Middles. The cookies were extremely dry and lacked flavor. The chocolate filling was also very artificial tasting and had a strange consistency. I had high expectations for these cookies, but they simply did not meet them. I won't be purchasing them again.
2. John - 1/5 stars - Magic Middles were a complete letdown for me. The cookie part was so hard and crumbly that it felt like I was biting into a rock. The chocolate filling was overly sweet and had an odd aftertaste. Overall, these cookies were a major miss. I would not recommend them to anyone.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had heard a lot of positive reviews about Magic Middles, so I decided to give them a try. Unfortunately, I was not impressed. The cookies were stale and tasted like cardboard. The chocolate filling was too heavy and overwhelmed the cookie. I ended up throwing most of them away. Definitely not worth the hype in my opinion.
4. David - 3/5 stars - While I didn't hate Magic Middles, I certainly didn't love them either. The cookies were decent, but nothing special. The chocolate filling was a bit too sweet for my liking, and I found it to be quite artificial tasting. Overall, they were just okay, and I don't think I'll be purchasing them again.
5. Melissa - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to try Magic Middles, but they fell short of my expectations. The cookies were dry and crumbly, and the chocolate filling was too gooey and sticky. The combination just didn't work for me. I was left disappointed and unsatisfied with this product.

Captivating Readers with Unexpected Plot Twists in the Middle

The Science of Suspense: Building Tension in the Middle of Your Story