I really have an obsession with peanut butter and chocolate. It's obvious when you take a look at my recipe list! But, y'know? That doesn't bother me one bit. Nope. Because I'm comfortable with my habit.
Anyway. I like to make peanut butter cups, but sometimes they're a little bit too tedious. These taste quite similar, but won't take much time at all to put together.
Ingredients:
1 C. Earth Balance
2 C. Almond Meal
2 C. Powdered Sugar
1 1/4 C. Peanut Butter {divided}
1 1/2 C. Chocolate Chips
To Make:
Combine Earth Balance, almond meal, powdered sugar, and 1 Cup peanut butter. Use your hand mixer to thoroughly blend the ingredients.
Spread in the bottom of a baking dish. I used a 7x11 dish, but a square dish or even a 9x13 would work. You'll just wind up with bars of a different thickness.
To a microwave safe dish, add remaining 1/4 Cup peanut butter and chocolate chips and microwave at 30-second intervals until the mixture is completely melted and smooth.
Spread over the peanut butter mixture, and then place in the fridge to set for at least an hour before serving.
Store, covered, in the fridge.
I adapted this recipe to fit my needs :)
This sounds great ! I could use sun butter instead PB. Any ideas of a non "nut" item I could sub for almond meal? :)
ReplyDeleteYou're right--you could absolutely use sun butter! As for an almond meal substitute, graham cracker crumbs would work {depending on your food allergies, and what you can find locally or want to make}, or, what about running Rice Chex or Puffed Rice cereal through a processor/blender to make crumbs??
DeleteThis looks very interesting. Saw your photo on FoodGawker.com and clicked over to your site.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Julia! I hope you find something fun here to enjoy :)
DeleteI'm not sure about Earth Balance ... it's a brand of nut butters at WHole Foods, but the nut butter seems to be covered ... what is it?
ReplyDeleteHi Donna! Check the refrigerated section! Earth Balance is also a gluten and soy free, vegan, non-GMO spread. It's my replacement for butter. If you have fewer intolerances, or none at all, your favorite margarine or even butter would work just fine in place of Earth Balance.
DeleteHi christina! Just shared on my FB page. Yum!
ReplyDeleteAwesome!! I love what you posted.
DeleteSome people can use coconut meal instead of almond meal even if they have a nut allergy. Hemp seeds can also be used as a nut substitute; grind them carefully in a coffee grinder or something that isn't going to get them warm from friction, in short spurts so you don't end up with hempseed butter. Pine nuts (which aren't really exactly nuts and therefore can also be eaten by many people who are allergic to nuts) can also be ground. So can acorns, although they need to be leached well to remove tannins (otherwise it will be very bitter and harsh).
ReplyDeletePine Nuts! Coconut Meal! Some great suggestions. Thanks for stopping by, Mary-An :)
DeleteDo you melt the Earth Balance or just let it get to room temperature?
ReplyDeleteI've always found that Earth Balance is very quick to warm up and blend. I measured out the EB, scooped it into my mixing bowl, and then set to work measuring the other ingredients. When I was ready to use my mixer, the EB was soft enough to incorporate thoroughly. Hope that helps!
DeleteI am planning on making this for Thanksgiving substituting PB for Trader Joes Sunflower Seed butter...maybe in a pie tin! Thank you!
ReplyDeletePerfect!! A tart pan would make *such* a cute presentation. Same w/a pie tin, or maybe even a springform pan, so you can remove the sides like on a cheesecake. Oh, the possibilities! :)
ReplyDeleteIs there a reason you couldn't use your Peanut Butter Cup recipe for these bars? Why would you need the EB and AM for this recipe but not the PB Cups? These look delicious but if the PB Cups are better, I'd like to make them into the bars for a holiday party. Thank you!! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a good question, Amy! I wouldn't personally use the PB Cup filling for this recipe. It's not as thick as the peanut butter mixture in this recipe, and would make for a very messy bar. These bars can be cut and stacked on a plate, etc.. and are easy to hold in your hand and eat. I hope that helps.
DeleteCan I use honey or maple syrup in place of powdered sugar?
ReplyDeleteYou can certainly give it a try! The powdered sugar does help with the consistency of the bars. They're something you can hold in your hand without too much mess. So you'll likely wind up with a more fork-ready dessert. If that makes sense?
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