Cool Cravings

photo: Scott Goodwin

Don't you hate when you get a craving for something sweet and you don't want to turn the oven on?

Seriously, sometimes it's just too hot and you feel a little lazy. This shouldn't stop you from satisfying a craving, especially when it's a chocolate and peanut butter one. The best thing to do is make a batch of Peanut Butter Balls, or even easier, Peanut Butter Bars. These no-bake treats are perfect for the lazy days of summer. 

PEANUT BUTTER BARS WITH MILK CHOCOLATE GANACHE

This recipe plus other summer desserts can be found in the new issue of Intermezzo Magazine.

My Aunt Babe was the crafty who decided years ago that she didn't have the patience for all that rolling and dipping. She invented this easy bar version!

MAKES 25

For bars

1/2 pound butter( 2 sticks) , softened

2 cups peanut butter

4  cups confectioners sugar

For ganache

1/2 pound milk chocolate, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 1/2 cups peanuts, coarsely chopped

1. Line an 8 x 8-inch  square cake pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of a standing mixer ( or using a hand mixer) , cream butter until smooth. Add peanut butter and mix on low speed just until incorporated and smooth.  Add confectioners sugar and mix well.
3. Press mixture evenly into prepared pan. Refrigerate 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Make ganache. In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream until boiling. Pour over chocolate and stir until smooth.
5. Spread ganache on top of peanut butter mixture. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts. Refrigerate 2 to 3 hours or overnight. Cut into squares.

PEANUT BUTTER BALLS

MAKES 40

1/4 pound ( 1 stick)  butter, softened

1 cup peanut butter

2 cups confectioners sugar

1 pound coating chocolate or tempered chocolate, melted

1. Make peanut butter dough like step #2 above.
2. Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet, spacing each 2 inches apart. 
3. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze 2 to 3 hour or overnight.
4. In the bowl of double boiler, or in a stainless bowl over simmering water, melt chocolate. Using 2 forks, dip and turn balls, a few at a time until coated in chocolate. Place on a clean parchment paper. Let dry. Drizzle tops with additional melted chocolate, if desired.

Peanut Butter Balls

Check out the  video "how-to" on Better Connecticut