Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Chocolate and peanut butter combined is pure bliss, but when they are combined in a bite sized chocolate peanut butter cup it quickly moves from bliss to heaven. Seriously, these are the best chocolate peanut butter treats I have ever tasted.

I've officially been bitten by the baking bug. Maybe it's because baking and the holidays go hand-in-hand, or maybe it's because my best friend - the master baker - is home, but whatever the reason my friends and family are reaping the rewards of my recent addiction.

These little devils, (I call them little devils because before you know it you've eaten more of these than you care to admit...) are the perfect way to treat yourself this holiday season! Just watch out, you'll finish them all off faster than you know it!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups (makes about 50)
Source: Joy of Baking

Ingredients

Peanut Butter Filling
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 cup icing sugar

Chocolate Coating
12 oz semi sweet chocolate, roughly chopped
12 oz milk chocolate, roughly chopped
1 1/2 tbsp shortening

Directions

Begin by melting the chocolate and shortening in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water.

While the chocolate is melting, combine your peanut butter, unsalted butter and salt together in a bowl and heat in the microwave for 20 seconds, or until soft enough to mix together. If not soft enough, heat for another 20 seconds. Mix in the icing sugar.

Once chocolate and shortening are melted together, begin by spooning enough chocolate until your truffle paper cup is 1/3 full. Next spoon in about 1/4 - 1/2 a tsp of peanut butter filling, then cover completely with the chocolate.

And there you have it, it's a pretty easy process and it's made even easier if you make it with someone else! I was doing the peanut butter filling while my friend was doing the chocolate. Try it!

Happy baking,

- Lou