Sunday, January 5, 2014

AS UNPREDICTABLE AS THE WEATHER

Another Sunday.  Finally, holidays are behind us and a normal week begins.  This vacation and the weather drama which led to disappointment has turned now to rain as I type with a warm day coming ~ probably more rain and then some serious cold!

I wonder why they are wrong about snow but get that frigid air right?  Weather ~ it is just so unpredictable!
Such is life!  Today was one of those unpredictable days where I got a ride from my landlord to the bank ~ very nice since my legs seized up since Saturday's adventure.

The ride was very welcome indeed!  The leg pain  not so much!  I don't know if it is from overdoing it or under doing it or none of the above!  As long as I can maneuver my way through tomorrow's Monday adventure and what that might bring besides my walk across town ( dry I hope!).

My friend Cindy has been working her butt off and I feel like it has been a year since I have seen her.  She called me after working this evening and came over after her errands.

While I was waiting I finally melted the chocolate and whipped the peanut butter filling together and utilized the cups from the  1 lb. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups I received as a gift for my birthday.  I wanted to find out if I could reuse them as candy molds.

I dumped a bunch of melted chocolate in the mold and swirled it around to coat the sides well and tapped out the air and placed them in the fridge to set.  I have been putting off this simple project which I wanted to do for Christmas.

In no time the molds were set and Cindy arrived.  After a visit with her catching up and chatting I remembered that the molds were ready and we went into the kitchen and I filled them with the peanut butter filling making sure to leave room for a chocolate cover.

I reheated the chocolate as I was doing that to both of them and I stirred it up and covered the top.  Tom and Cindy both looked on in anticipation and I think they were both amazed at how easy it was.  I covered both tops and into the fridge they went once more.

We went back out into the living room and watched some more of Downton Abbey Season 4 (it is impossible really to watch t.v. with Cindy in the room so we just admired the clothing!),  by the time she was ready to go 20 minutes later I was popping the candy out of the cups easy as pie!  I was worried that they wouldn't come out!!!

Of course I gifted her one ~ I meant to give her and my grand~daughter and my son one for Christmas ~ I am just a wee bit behind schedule on that one.  Oh well ~ better late than never!  I also have enough filling for at least one more and possibly two.

I have not cut into the one that I have here to see how I need to improve ~ or if it is just right in thickness with the chocolate all the way around.  I have made these before once but not big ones and they were a big hit back then.

I will get back to you on the results on the outcome and the feedback from Cindy tomorrow.  I do wish I had a camera for the visuals because they look as good as the Reese's!  Cindy tested the filling and said it was better ~ that was without chocolate (it is yummy)!!

It is even simple enough that my grand daughter would get a kick out of making them ~ so I think it may be a project for our next visit.  Gramma's gotta keep it fun and creative.  She is no stranger to the kitchen ~ she and her Mom made massive amounts of cookies for Christmas.

I got my recipe from a Creative Cooks Kitchen  Desserts & Candies Group 4 Card 10 from a recipe card thing I subscribed to in the 80's sometime if I do recall ~ could have been the  90's.  I used to get a lot of crap in the mail and recipes ~ like books are kind of one of my things.


Creamy Peanut Butter Cups

1 package (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup Peanut Butter                                             
1 cup confectioners' sugar                                   
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine softened   

Special Aids
40 miniature foil or paper candy cups 
miniature muffin pans
small glass or shot glass

Preparing the Peanut Butter Cups
Place foil liners in the miniature muffin cups.

In a large microwave~safe bowl, microwave chocolate
on HIGH for 1 1/2 minutes.  
Stir until chocolate is melted.
and smooth.

Drop 1/2 teaspoon melted chocolate into each cup.
Tap the pan lightly on a hard surface to distribute the 
chocolate evenly in the cups.

Place the filled muffin pans in the refrigerator or freeze;
chill until the chocolate is firm, 5-10 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine peanut butter,
confectioners' sugar and butter;
mix until blended and smooth.

Drop 1 tablespoon of the peanut butter
mixture onto top of chilled chocolate layer.
Wrap a small glass or shot glass in plastic wrap
and use to press the peanut butter mixture evenly
in the candy cups.

Top the peanut butter mixture in each cup with 
1 Tablespoon of the melted chocolate.
Tap the pan on a hard surface to evenly settle the layers.

Refrigerate or freeze until chocolate is firm, 10 -15 minutes.

Kitchen tips
To freeze peanut butter cups, layer them between sheets
of waxed paper in an airtight container.  For best flavor, 
freeze for no longer than 1 month.  Thaw candies in the 
refrigerator before serving.


Variations

White Bites
For a sweeter flavor and a sophisticated look, 
substitute melted white chocolate for the 
semisweet chocolate layer.

Peanut Squares
For a quick batch, layer mixtures in a 
foil lined 8-inch square pan.
Chill until firm and cut into bite-size 
square pieces.

There were a couple of more things on the card as well, but I shared the good parts.  Theirs just does it in layers and I think that is the best you will get in paper candy wraps. 

I like how these molds work but they are disposable.  I think if I am careful I will be able to use them a few times until I find mini pie pans or something in place of my mini cupcake tins.  

I will have to ponder this some more.  I like the larger ones ~ easier and quicker.  The squares do look interesting as well, along with the white chocolate.  I can feel my creative juices flowing in the variations department!

I hope you do give it a go as well!  A very simple and easy treat which, unless you have a peanut allergy is simpler than you would imagine ~ like most things in life!  Hope you enjoy I know I will!


4 comments:

  1. As always, a great read. Thanks for the recipe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for reading Wendy! I just saw this cool option to reply back :) Hope you are awesomely well!!!!

      Delete
  2. Loved it, as usual. Wish I wasn't diabetic, that recipe sounds great.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will have to find a diabetic version for you Marguerite!

      Delete