Peanut Butter Cups

Jay asked me to make him something sweet to eat a couple of days ago.  So, today I did.

Peanut Butter Cups
2 cups peanut butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 package graham crackers
1 stick butter
2 - 12 oz. packages milk chocolate chips
1 tablespoon shortening
mini baking cups

Break the graham crackers into a gallon size plastic zip bag, then crush with a rolling pin until finely crumbled.

 

In a large microwave-safe bowl, put the butter

and the peanut butter.

 Cover loosely with a paper towel, and microwave on high 1 1/2 minutes.  Stir to combine.

Add in the powdered sugar

and the graham crackers

and mix until thoroughly combined, and the mixture forms a stiff dough.

Get out a piece of waxed paper.  With your hands, shape the dough into small, flattened circles, using about 1 teaspoon of dough per circle.  Do this until all the dough has been used.

Next, get some water boiling in a double boiler.  In the top pan (or bowl, like I used), put the chocolate chips

and when they have mostly melted, add the shortening.

The shortening helps make the chocolate silky smooth, and makes it flow well.  While the chocolate is melting, set out the paper cups so that they are ready to be filled.

Place a peanut butter ball into the chocolate,

turning to coat.  Remove,

and place in a baking cup.

Repeat this process until all of the peanut butter balls are coated, then set them aside to let the chocolate set.

As you can see, mine are not perfectly even, but I think that's part of their charm.  And they still taste fantastic.

They're not limited to cups either.  The dough can be rolled out on waxed paper and cut into any shape you like.  Christmas trees, Valentine hearts, Easter eggs...Whatever you can imagine!