Tag Archives: Peanut Butter

A Delicious Duo

21 Sep

Peanut Butter Blossoms

If you ask me, there’s nothing more delicious than the pairing of chocolate and peanut butter. I was looking for something quick and simple to bring to a family party this past Friday and was flipping through some old recipes, browsing pictures online and chatting with some colleagues. We got onto the topic of cookies and figured maybe I’d just settle with my classic chocolate chip (not that chocolate chip cookies are “settling”! I could eat them all day long!!), but I wanted to mix it up a bit. I haven’t made these cookies in probably over a decade… aka WAY too long ago and I was reminded just how easy and quick they are to make.

Needless to say, they were a huge hit! Even my Nana who “doesn’t like peanut butter”, which I’m not sure how that’s possible (Love you Nana!) now has decided that she in fact, does love it! I did question whether that was just her response given I am her grandchild, but on her 3rd cookie, she convinced me! The cookies were gone long before the night was over and the sangria continued to flow. All around great night with family!!Nana

Nana & Me!

Blossoms

final 3 strait

Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Total Time: 30 Minutes
Yields: 35 Blossoms

What You’ll Need:

  • 35 Unwrapped Hershey Kisses – Milk Chocolate
  • 1/2 Cup of Shortening
  • 3/4 Cups of Jiff Creamy Peanut Butter
  • 1/3 Cup of Granulated Sugar (+1/3 Cup for rolling)
  • 1/3 Cup of Packed Light Brown Sugar
  • 1 Egg
  • 2 Tablespoons of Whole Milk
  • 1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
  • 1 1/2 Cups of All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 Teaspoon of Baking Soda
  • 1/2 Teaspoon of Salt

Instructions:

  1. Preaheat the oven to 350 Degrees F and remove the wrappers from the chocolates. Place in a bowl and set aside
  2. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking soda and salt until combined. Set aside
  3. Beat (with the paddle attachment if using your mixer) the shortening and peanut butter in a large bowl until well blended
  4. Add 1/3 Cup of granulated sugar and the brown sugar and beat until fluffy. Roughly a minute or two.
  5. Add the egg, milk and vanilla. Beat until incorporated
  6. Slowly add the flour mixture into the peanut butter mixture. Add in 3 batches and beat after each addition until combined.
  7. Using your hands, scoop out a tablespoon of dough and shape into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in the additional 1/3 granulated sugar (if desired, but who wouldn’t love the extra sugar!?) and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Don’t be deceived, they will grow in size while they bake. Keeping them on the smaller size makes them the perfect bite-sized treat!
    in the sugar    before the oven
  8. Bake the rounds for 10 – 12 minutes, depending on your oven, until they are lightly browned.
  9. Remove from the oven and immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie. The cookie will crack around the edges, so that’s OK!
    out of the oven
  10. Remove from the cookie sheet and allow them to cool completely. Full disclosure: I love eating these when they’re still warm and the chocolate kiss is still soft! They melt in your mouth and you’ll want at least 15 more!!

With football season in full force and hockey season right around the corner.. oh and baseball still on TV, this is is the perfect Sunday Funday treat to share with your friends and family. I hope you enjoy them as much as my family does!

Fianl 9

Enjoy!
Kristin

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Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites

31 Aug

A little delayed due to Irene, but here is my salty, sweet and savory snack that I know you’ve all been waiting for! My colleagues were lucky enough to try these treats this past Friday and they were delicious and addicting.

I’ve been on a bit of a peanut butter and chocolate kick lately and these snacks fit right into my obsession! These bite-sized peanut butter pretzels are the perfect mid-day snack to get you though the final hours of work or an evening snack while curled up on the couch watching a movie. Careful though, it’s easy to eat the whole batch!

What You’ll Need:

  • 1 Cup of Creamy Peanut Butter (I used Jiff)
  • 2 tbs of Softened Butter
  • 3/4 Cup of Powdered Sugar
  • 3/4 Cup of Brown Sugar
  • 1 Bag of Pretzels (However many you want to make)
  • 1 Bag of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

To Prepare:

  • Nothing to prepare! No oven needed.

Directions:

In a large bowl, whisk together the peanut butter and softened butter (See my Baking Tips for Softening Butter!).  Add the sugars and mix to combine.

At this point if the filling will roll easily into balls without sticking to your hands you’re ready to go.  If not, add a little more of each sugar until you reach a consistency that is easy to roll.

Use a teaspoon measure to scoop the peanut butter filling.  Roll each portion into a small ball and sandwich them between two whole pretzels. I placed the pretzel sandwich on a wire cooling rack, but any tray should work. Once all the balls are rolled and sandwiched between the pretzels, place the whole tray in the freezer for about half an hour.

Pour the bag of chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl and heat at 30-second intervals, stirring occasionally until completely melted. Remove the pretzel sandwiches from the freezer and quickly dip each half-way into the melted chocolate.  Return to the tray and repeat with remaining sandwiches.  When all of them are dipped, return the tray to the freezer to set up completely.  Store the sandwiches in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve (or devour yourself!)

Enjoy!

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