Buckeyes. (GF)

The classic peanut butter and chocolate dessert–perfection!

Peanut butter + chocolate.

It’s one of my husband’s favorite combinations, and over the years we’ve been married it has become one of mine, too!

I know buckeyes are a Christmas tradition for many families, but although that isn’t the case with mine, I’m quickly getting on board. If you’ve never had a buckeye before, it’s pretty much like eating peanut butter frosting dipped in chocolate.

Yup. They’re amazing.

And, they’re gluten-free! Hooray!

I made these recently for a friend who just had a baby and I forgot how much fun it is to make these. It does take a while to dip the buckeyes in the chocolate, but just have fun and enjoy the process.

Now all you need to do is turn on some Christmas music and sing your way through making the recipe!

Buckeyes (GF)

• 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup butter, room-temperature (can soften in the microwave if needed)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup vegetable shortening

1). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Make sure you have enough room in the freezer for the cookie sheet.

2). In a large bowl, use a hand-held mixer (or wooden spoon) to mix the peanut butter, butter, vanilla extract, and salt together. Add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, and mix until fully incorporated.

3). Roll the peanut butter mixture into 1 inch balls (I cheated and used a cookie scoop!). Set them on the parchment-lined cookie sheet and add a toothpick in the top of each one. Freeze for about 30 minutes or until hard.

4). Fill a medium sized pot with about 1 inch of water. Place it on the stove over medium heat until simmering, then set it to low to keep it barely simmering. Combine the chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave, heat-proof bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, and stir. Continue microwaving in 30 second intervals for 1 more minute, stirring each time. Place this bowl on top of the simmering pot of water and stir until the chocolate and shortening are completely melted.

5). Use the toothpick as a handle to carefully dip the buckeyes in the chocolate, leaving the top center exposed. Place on the parchment-lined cookie sheet and either refrigerate for 2 hours or freeze for 30 minutes. Remove the toothpicks and gently smooth the peanut butter over the hole from the toothpick. Store in the refrigerator for up to a month!

Recipe adapted from Brown Eyed Baker.

 

No Bake Peanut Butter Energy Balls

I stumbled upon this recipe a few weeks prior and immediately jumped up and made them. I already had every ingredient sitting in my pantry, and it only requires one bowl for mixing it all together. Literally, within 5 minutes they were ready to go!

These energy bites are no-bake, which is helpful if you’re limited on time (or trying to avoid heating up your house with the oven). These are great on-the-go snacks or a delightful sweet treat that’s not too indulgent. I was especially pleased that there’s so much ground flax seed in this recipe. Flax seed is full of Omega-3’s which are so important and good for you!

These may not be the best pictures but they certainly were delicious! These are gluten free and can be dairy free depending on what chocolate chips you buy. I think this would also be a great treat that kids could enjoy as well!

Just take a look at the ingredients list. You more than likely have everything you need to whip up a batch right now. Go make them!

No Bake Peanut Butter Energy Balls

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tsp vanilla

1) Combine all ingredients together in a bowl.

2) Roll into balls and refrigerate.

Servings: 26. Serving size: 1 ball. Nutritional Information per serving: Calories: 84 Carbs: 10g Fat: 5g Protein: 2g Sugar: 6g Fiber: 1g

WW PointsPlus: 3

Recipe via Pinterest, but no link to original source.

Chocolate-Covered Pretzel Peanut Butter Brownies

Yes, you read that title correctly.

Chocolate-covered pretzels.

On top of fluffy peanut butter frosting.

With a homemade brownie base.

It is so good!!!

Let me say up front, plan to share this dessert with friends because this is in no way, shape, or form even remotely healthy. This may actually be the most decadent dessert I’ve ever made! Sometimes, though, you need to have a real dessert up your sleeves for special occasions. This one is a show-stopper, and if you are a fan of peanut butter and chocolate/salty and sweet, you will absolutely love these!

The brownie base can be made according to the recipe below, or if you are short on time you can use a boxed brownie mix. There are several steps to making these decadent bars, so you may not want to make these if you are in a last-minute rush. Did I mention they are worth every second?

The best part of this dessert, in my opinion, is the combination of textures. The brownie is thick and chewy, the peanut butter frosting is light and fluffy, and the chocolate-covered pretzels are super crunchy. There’s so much greatness going on that I can’t imagine anyone not loving these!

Chocolate-Covered Pretzel Peanut Butter Brownies

Ingredients:

For the brownie base (use this recipe or use a boxed mix):

• 1 stick of butter
• 8 oz semi-sweet baker’s chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt

For the Chocolate Covered Pretzels:

• 25 mini pretzels
• 2 oz semi-sweet baker’s chocolate, coarsely chopped

For the Peanut Butter Frosting:

• 1 stick butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1-2 cups powdered sugar

1). Let’s make the brownie base first. Preheat the oven to 350F, and spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray.

2). In a medium sauce pan, melt the butter and chocolate over medium heat. Stir constantly until melted together, about 6 minutes. Turn off the heat and let it cool for about 15 minutes.

3). After butter/chocolate has cooled, stir in the sugar and begin whisking in 1 egg at a time. Add the vanilla extract and whisk. Slowly fold in the flour and salt and mix until well combined. Pour into prepared 9×13 pan and bake for 27-30 minutes, or until a toothpick barely comes out clean.

4). Next, make the chocolate-covered pretzels. Place the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Mix, then continue to microwave the chocolate in 10 second intervals, stirring the chocolate each time, until the chocolate has melted. Toss the melted chocolate with the pretzels and set aside to harden, or pop in the fridge to cool just a few minutes. Once cooled, chop the pretzels roughly.

5). For the peanut butter frosting, use a stand mixer or electric mixer to beat the butter and peanut butter together until combined. Add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time until the frosting is very thick. I used 1.5 cups.

6). After the brownies have cooled about 1 hour, smooth the peanut butter frosting in an even layer on top of the brownie base. Then, sprinkle the chopped pretzels on top and gently press them into the frosting. Place the dessert in the fridge to set the frosting for 30 minutes to an hour. Cut into (small) pieces, serve, and enjoy!

Serving: about 28, depending on size preference.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories: 281 Carbs: 32g Fat: 17g Protein: 5g Sugar: 22g Fiber: 2g

WW PointsPlus: 8 Old points: 7

Recipe originally from: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2012/07/09/chocolate-covered-pretzel-peanut-butter-brownies/