Alisa Cooks – Recipes from the Go Dairy Free kitchen

Recipes from the Go Dairy Free kitchen

Peanut Butter Truffles and Cheap PB Cup Molds

August 6, 2010 Alisa's Recipes

This past week I was honored to do a guest post on Maggie’s blog, Say Yes to Salad, in honor of her much-anticipated marriage. I chose to write about the peanut butter truffles we made by hand (about 300 of them!) for the favor at a good friend’s wedding.

This post is related to that post, but there’s a little more to it. First, I wanted to add that recipe to my personal online blog collection (it is also in my book, Go Dairy Free, for those of you who have it). The recipe is below, Enjoy! Second, I wanted to share a new fun and “I don’t care what my husband says” cheap baking / un-baking item.

You see, I have wanted some little candy molds for a while, and was hoping to find some silicone ones because they are so darn easy. So when I spotted a dozen of these gems at Cost Plus World Market for just $2.49, I tossed them without hesitation into our basket …

candy molds

They are mini-muffin / cupcake cups. An application which I may use them for in the future, but they also make perfect candy molds, particularly for turning those peanut butter truffles into peanut butter cups …

PB Truffle Cups

As mentioned in Maggie’s post, my husband and I have been together for over 14 years now, and we grow closer each day. In fact, for almost all of those years, we have not only lived together, we also work together! Yes, we are rarely apart. He is actually just up the stairs typing away on his computer now. People often wonder how we do it. It’s easy … we still act like kids. We call each other names, joke around, play argue … keeping it light lets us vent while having fun. So I have a point with this.

When I put those little muffin cups into our basket, the following conversation ensued:

Husband – What are those?!!

Alisa – Muffin cups that I can use as candy molds. They’re only $2.49.

Husband – $2.49 for those? That’s ridiculous … way too much. Husband proceeds to remove molds from basket and put them back on the shelf. Snickering of course.

Alisa – But I need them!

We continue on through the store, and I sneak the molds back in the basket when he isn’t looking. We get up to the counter to checkout, and husband spots molds in the basket, removes them and hands them to the clerk …

Husband – We don’t need these, they are too expensive. You can put them back on the shelf.

Alisa – Agh … but! I want them.

Husband – laughs and purchases molds of course. I mean come on, they’re only $2.49!

A week later I made the peanut butter truffles in the candy molds, and of course, when he saw them in the fridge, my husband said, “I’m going to eat these since I had to pay dearly for the molds to make them!” Alisa calls husband “affectionate” name and both leave the room laughing. Husband happy with his reward …

PB Truffle Cups

 Yes, these types of conversations occur pretty much daily in our house.

 

Peanut Butter “Truffles”

This recipe is from my book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook

Casually elegant, these glorified peanut butter cups earned me rave reviews at a close friend’s wedding. For party favors, we wrapped a few little treats up in tulle and placed one on each guest’s plate. All night long, people I had never met approached me with recipe requests for “those incredible truffles.” While I would love to gloat on my innovation and labor, the recipe is embarrassingly easy …

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups Powdered / Confectioner’s Sugar
  • 3/4 Cup Smooth All Natural Peanut Butter
  • 1/4 Cup Dairy-Free Margarine or Shortening, Softened
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
  • 6 Ounces Semi-Sweet or Dark Chocolate Chips
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Shortening

Method

Combine the sugar, peanut butter, margarine or shortening, vanilla, and salt in a medium-sized mixing bowl, and blend until smooth.

Pinch off pieces of the peanut butter mixture and roll them into balls that are 1/2 to 1 inch in diameter. Since you won’t be baking them, the thickness of the filling is really up to you.

Place the peanut butter balls in a single layer on baking sheets lined with wax paper or non-stick baking mats (I flatten them slightly to keep them from rolling around), and freeze until they are firm, about 15 to 20 minutes.

While those are chilling, Place the chocolate and 1/2 teaspoon of shortening in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on HIGH in 30 second intervals (just 2 to 3 should suffice), stirring vigorously between intervals, until the chocolate has just melted and is smooth. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate, as it can scorch easily.

Remove the peanut butter balls from the freezer, dunk them in the melted chocolate to coat, and return them to the baking sheets to dry.

Place the truffles in the refrigerator or freezer to chill for 1 hour, or until the chocolate coating is firm. The truffles should keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Yields approximately 2 Dozen “Truffles”.

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35 thoughts on “Peanut Butter Truffles and Cheap PB Cup Molds”
  1. Pingback: Tweets that mention One Frugal Foodie » Peanut Butter Truffles and Inexpensive PB Cup Molds -- Topsy.com
  2. Deanna
    August 6, 2010 at 7:55 am

    Yum! I used to make these every Christmas as round balls dipped in chocolate. We call them buckeyes. I haven’t had them in quite a while, but I just might have to make a batch again.

  3. Julie @ Get Healthy Cheap
    August 6, 2010 at 8:46 am

    YUM! Those look absolutely delicious!

  4. Jessie (Bites and Pieces)
    August 6, 2010 at 8:51 am

    Wow, how awesome do these look? You can’t beat the chocolate and pb combo! 🙂

  5. April @ The 21st Century Housewife
    August 6, 2010 at 11:58 am

    I really enjoyed your post – and the peanut butter truffles and peanut butter cups look scrumptious!

  6. Debbi Does Dinner Healthy
    August 6, 2010 at 12:25 pm

    Oh my goodness, those are adorable!! I so would love to have those! Thye look so delicious! Thanks!

  7. Ali
    August 6, 2010 at 12:40 pm

    The molds are worth it, they look wonderful 🙂 What a wonderful post.

  8. Erica
    August 6, 2010 at 1:23 pm

    WOW! Those would be like the best wedding favors ever. And the story about your husband totally cracks me up. We’ve all been there…haven’t we 😉

  9. Donna
    August 6, 2010 at 2:01 pm

    Ingenious!

    My response to my hubby in questioning whether we “need” the latest purchased kitchen gadget: “Well, do you really NEED that new “camera/lens/light tower/other new camera gadget?” Works every time.

  10. Evan Thomas
    August 6, 2010 at 2:34 pm

    Haha, I’m pretty sure I “need” those in my life now, too! So cool.

  11. Laury @thefitnessdish
    August 6, 2010 at 8:56 pm

    Oh My Goodness, Alisa…this is the best post ever!!!! I need to get those molds!! I was making PB cups, and they were not coming out too pretty (tasty, but not pretty)…thanks SOOOOO much for posting this and letting us all know about these molds! I never saw them before!!

    The truffles…um, they are sinful, and I will be making them…and my hubby will finally like one of the quote “vegan” desserts I made, and appreciate! He loves PB and choc treats….SO So So YUM!!! You’re pics are so pretty too, very good photography 😉

    Happy Friday!!!

  12. Ricki
    August 6, 2010 at 11:57 pm

    Ah, yes, I remember those truffles well! Love them. And I remember that conversation well, too, since my hubby and I have it all the time (except in reverse–I’m the cheapo one!) 😉

  13. [email protected]
    August 7, 2010 at 12:07 am

    mmmmm yum! and so pretty

  14. Joanne
    August 7, 2010 at 7:25 am

    And these PB truffles were how Joanne gained 20 pounds. Happily, might I add.

    I love how happy you and your husband still are!

  15. Heather @CeliacFamily
    August 7, 2010 at 2:15 pm

    Yum, yum, yum, yum, yum. (Not sure if that’s enough yum’s.) Can’t wait to give these a try. And, I’ll be making a trip to pick up the baking cups, too. Thanks!

  16. alisa
    August 7, 2010 at 2:23 pm

    Laury & Heather – I’m tempted to pick up more of those little baking cups if I see them in store still on our next trip. I looked online and similar cups in the same quantity cost $15! Crazy.

  17. Beth S.
    August 7, 2010 at 2:46 pm

    Alisa,

    Can you tell us how you make the PB cups? Do you make the same filling for them as the truffles? How do you form the chocolate?

    These look so yummy! I want to try them, but with soy butter since we have peanut allergies in our house.

    Thanks for sharing the recipe!

  18. Beth S.
    August 7, 2010 at 2:52 pm

    BTW, Wilton makes peanut butter cup molds. http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?sku=2115-1522
    One might be able to find them at a local craft store (like Michael’s). There are also a bunch on eBay (with shipping, you can get them for under $4).

  19. Beth S.
    August 7, 2010 at 2:56 pm

    Never mind on the method for making the cups. I found instructions here:
    http://www.wilton.com/technique/Creme-Centers

  20. alisa
    August 7, 2010 at 3:39 pm

    Thanks for the links Beth!

    You know, I’m not as fancy as Wilton about it. To make the PB cups, I melt chocolate chips or chocolate (one batch I used dark chocolate mixed with Enjoy Life Rice Milk Chocolate, another I just used semi-sweet chocolate chips) in a small bowl in the microwave. I chill the pb mixture and then shape it into little patties by hand. This just takes a couple minutes, they don’t have to be pretty! I then spoon some of the melted chocolate into the bottom of the silicone cups, top with a pb patty and press it in lightly, then put another dollop of melted chocolate on top of that and smooth it out. Freeze. I’ve never been good with piping bags and such and hate extra clean-up!

  21. Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
    August 7, 2010 at 6:40 pm

    Great post Alisa b/c you know I love PB Cups too! The truffle idea is great…pretty much any type of PB or sweet ball dunked in choco is a great think 🙂

    The molds are awesome…what a SCORE. They are like such a easy “cheapie” little thing but I have never bought any b/c I have only seen them for super pricey! Like $20 a dozen type of thing. I have seen them in the Target dollar bins around V-Day with hearts, never bought any, kicking myself and next VDay, going to!

    your comment to me re Fruit in your CSA. Girl. One of the reasons I stopped my CSA was b/c i was getting innudated w/ produce I didnt want..or that was sorta past it’s prime and HAD to be used immediately. I hate that feeling. Not to mention, I would never seek out cantaloupe or kumquats or mustard greens but would get TONS of things like that…and then not enough of what I truly would love. All in all, CSAs are great but they do have limitations…for sure!

  22. Alison
    August 8, 2010 at 11:39 am

    Yum! I want to try these with Sunbutter sometime for my peanut-allergic daughter!

  23. Pingback: The tour ends « Making Food and Other Stuff
  24. Maggie
    August 8, 2010 at 9:22 pm

    Okay, I need some of those molds! I love them! And I would LOVE to make this recipe. Who doesn’t love peanut butter cups? Making chocolate treats is so much fun. Thanks Alisa – and I agree, you have to keep it fun in order for your marriage to last. Laughter is the best part!

  25. 5 Star Foodie
    August 9, 2010 at 1:06 pm

    Those molds were definitely necessary and the truffles are looking terrific!

  26. Lori
    August 9, 2010 at 6:31 pm

    Love the story. lol. Sounds like the story of my life (with the boyfriend).

    And love love love those pb cups! YUM! What a useful way to get the $2.49 out of them. 😉
    And really, I think that’s a good enough price! Since they’ll be used a lot, I’m sure.

  27. andrea
    August 9, 2010 at 8:12 pm

    i loved my silicone cups to death- literally. i don’t know if they absorbed too much coconut oil or what, but they are kinda weird now and i have pretty much abandoned them, sadly. i loved my little square muffins. but, perhaps it’s time to bust them out again for some pb/chocolate love! stoked to try this!

  28. Marianne
    August 10, 2010 at 2:04 am

    Only $2.49? I think it was a totally warranted purchase, especially when you can make your own pb cups!

  29. Kim - Cook It Allergy Free
    August 11, 2010 at 1:21 am

    I have to get some of those molds!!! My kids will think they hit the jackpot if I make these. They look divine!

  30. Christina (Dinner at Christina's)
    August 13, 2010 at 6:32 pm

    haha You guys are hysterical – that’s how most of me and Johnny’s interactions are too. His brother says we need our own reality show. 😛

    I’m glad you DID get your molds b/c your candies turned out awesome! Thanks for sharing them with Friday Firsts! 🙂

  31. LizLivingVegan
    August 18, 2010 at 1:27 pm

    Those molds are so cute! and I HAVE To try those. They look soo good!

  32. Stephanie
    August 19, 2010 at 4:12 pm

    oh my word! I have to make these now, look at those pictures. I am drooling!

  33. Laura
    August 22, 2010 at 2:53 pm

    OMG, those look so good! Thanks for sharing!

  34. Pingback: Something for everyone « Making Food and Other Stuff
  35. Pingback: Fluffy Buckwheat Pancakes & A Super Bowl Roundup | Adventures of a Gluten Free Mom

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