Don’t let the timing on this post fool you. No, it’s not Valentine’s Day and we’re way past Easter candy. This is a special project well in advance of Mother’s Day that you can help your kids with to make some really special treats for Grandma. In fact, you can help your kids make some really special treats for YOU for Mother’s Day. And while you’re making these little goodies, you can discuss how much thoughtful but inexpensive gifts mean to a mom. (And maybe Dad can be persuaded to take over the project while some EXTRA special peanut butter cups are constructed for Mom.)
These really are simple and delicious. This recipe came from a dear friend, Faye, who frequently tries out her chocolate creations on our family.
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
- 16 ounces dark chocolate (of course you can use milk chocolate if you like, but I’m a purist when it comes to dark chocolate)
- 2 T. shortening
- 1/3 c. graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 c. butter
- 1/2 c. powdered sugar
- 1/4 c. crunchy peanut butter
- 30 – 40 mini paper baking cups
Melt the shortening and chocolate together. Arrange the paper baking cups on a cookie sheet. Drizzle a thin layer of the chocolate to completely cover the bottom of the mini baking cups. Put the baking cups into the fridge to set. It won’t take long.
Meanwhile, melt the butter and crunchy peanut butter together. Stir in powdered sugar and graham cracker crumbs. Press a pinch of this peanut butter into the center of each mini baking cup on top of the set chocolate.
Use the remainder of the melted chocolate mixture to cover the peanut butter filling in each cup. Stick the cookie sheet of baking cups back into the fridge to finish setting.
These should be stored in the fridge.
A small box of these is a great gift for kids to give to mom, grandma, a teacher, or whomever. As we approach the end of the school year, there are often plenty of people I want to say thank you to. These tasty treats say it nicely.
They don’t last long!
Oh man….we did these one year as part of our Christmas candy making and it was the most dangerous thing I’d ever had in the house. Whatever you do, DON’T freeze them! It makes them even more amazing, especially if the weather is warm…..like it is about now
I think you already know how I feel about this recipe! {true love}
OMG! These sound amazing and I will definitely try the recipe! PB and chocolate is my favorite combination. I couldn’t live without either; together is sheer bliss.