Peanut Butter “Cups”
Between the unseasonably warm spring weather and a few savored relaxing moments, this past week has been a good one 🙂 I started out with a fantastic facial and pedicure at the local spa. The poor girl spent about an hour on my feet but I am happy to report that they will no longer scare small children and puppies.
I didn’t have a lot of free time to bake but I managed to squeeze in a bit which for me, is just as relaxing as a spa day.
Sometime late Monday afternoon I got an insane craving for peanut butter and happened to have a free half hour. These satisfied every craving! The base is a thick, crunchy graham cracker crust, then there’s a layer of creamy nutella. The star is a rich, creamy peanut butter mousse and it’s capped off with a thin layer of chocolate. I ate 2 of the cups before I could take pictures! These can be made ahead and stored in the freezer for a few days. If you are serving them sooner rather than later they can be chilled or served at room temperature. Just don’t serve them frozen because you can’t get through the nutella!
One Year Ago: Strawberries n’ Cream Cupcakes and Easy Lemon Bars
Peanut Butter Cups
Yields 4 servings
Ingredients:
4-6 ounce ramekins
1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons melted butter
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon whipping cream
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
4 tablespoons nutella
Directions:
1. For the Crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). In a small mixing bowl, mix together graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter. Spoon 3 tablespoons of the crumb mixture into each of the ramekins and using the back of a spoon press down the crumbs to create a smooth base. Bake for 5-7 minutes or until lightly browned and fragrant. Remove from the oven and cool completely.
2. For the Filling: Beat the cream cheese and peanut butter on medium speed of an electric mixer until combined and slightly smoother. Add the powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of the heavy cream and beat until fully combined, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
3. In a clean bowl beat the 1/2 cup whipping cream on high speed to stiff peaks. Fold half of the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture. If the mousse seems too stiff fold in more cream. You may not need all of the cream, it’s really to your taste and preferred texture.
4. Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl for 20 second increments at 70% power. Stir in between each increment until the chocolate is completely melted.
5. To assemble: Spoon the nutella into a piping bag (or sandwich bag with corner snipped off!) and pipe about a tablespoon over the bottom of the crust. Divide the the peanut butter mouse among the 4 ramekins either by spooning and smoothing or piping it in. Place the melted chocolate in a clean piping bag and pipe a thin layer over top of the mouse, smoothing the surface with the back of a spoon. Place the ramekins into the refrigerator to chill until the chocolate has hardened and serve chilled or at room temperature!
Oh boy, this looks amazing. What a creative idea. I’m going to have to try this recipe.
I like the idea of a dessert instead of a little piece of candy. This is more cream cheesy, which is a good thing-yum! Glad to come by and find this amazing dessert, saving this one-its a keeper! Your pictures are tempting enough. Have a great day!
One peanut butter cup is never enough for me but I think this dessert would satisfy every craving! These look delish! 🙂
Those certainly look amazing!!!
Stored? You’re assuming there would be any left in my house to store? Hahahahaha
I think these look truly outstanding. I love the way you’ve done them with a base – I think that would make all the difference. They are no longer a snack – more like a dessert.
I love Peanut Butter cups!
Oh man do I need a mani/pedi! These cups look great!
My feet also scare small animals!!! Lol. These peanut butter cups look so decadent and delicious.
sounds very yummy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh wow – this looks utterly amazing! Well deserved Top 9, what a treat! 🙂 Mmmm. I’ll stare at the pictures a bit longer….
These look fantastic! They look like the perfect way to prolong the luxury of going to the spa!
thinkin of making a family set – serving for Easter din without the egg hunt. but i must make some in advance to try first – that will be tomorrow’s treat!
Awesome; these indeed look like they’d satisfy a myriad of cravings. Well done!
When I saw the title I almost didn’t read the rest because I knew it would be a bad idea for my waistline. My stomach however was telling me to read on. Yum and Yum! Love it!
I almost didn’t want to read this post from the title knowing that it would be bad for my waistline. Temptation won out though. Yum and Yum!
OOhh, yay, yay, yes… this looks… so good.
xo
http://allykayler.blogspot.com/
O-my-goodness. YUM. I don’t even know what else to say 🙂 That little cup has all of my favorites cooked right in there…nutella…peanut butter… chocolate! I don’t think I should ever make these because I wouldn’t just eat two of them.. I’d prolly finish them all off 🙂
This looks outstanding! I did a similar thing last month when I got a blow torch and craved toasted marshmallow. Graham cracker base, chocolate ganache, then topped with toasted marshmallows – s’mores brulee! Thanks for sharing