Homemade Magic

What i really crave these days is... peanut butter! And we can’t find it in Russia. I mean if you search really hard you might find some but as i am stuck at home right now it's impossible. This is when I realize I can’t live without it anymore and  it’s time to go to the kitchen and do some magic!

Homemade Peanut Butter
15 oz roasted peanuts
1  tsp salt
1 ½ tsp honey
1 ½  tbsp peanut oil

Combine peanuts, salt and honey in the bowl of a food process. Whiz until well combined and mixture looks sandy, about 1-2 minutes.
With the motor running, stream in the peanut oil until peanut butter comes together and is smooth. Blend for about 2 minutes to smooth the peanut butter out as much as possible. Add in additional seasoning to taste.

That’s it! Super easy! Now there’s always a nice jar of this yummy thing in the cooler. Let’s use it for something even more magical! Peanut butter cups! Yes!!

Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

approx 1 1/2 cups chocolate, chopped (or chocolate chips)
1/2 cup creamy organic/natural peanut butter
1/2 cup crunchy organic/natural peanut butter
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
generous pinch salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Set 2-dozen mini muffin/bonbon wrappers on a baking sheet. This time I used premade chocolate cups my mom brought from Austria. If you do so you should be very careful with hot chocolate as it easily melts the thin walls of the cups.
Melt approximately half of the chocolate stirring frequently, until smooth. Use a spoon to pour a little chocolate into each muffin wrapper. Use a small, very clean brush to paint the chocolate up the sides of each wrapper.
Chill candy shells until set, about 20-30 minutes.
In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, confectioners’ sugar, salt and vanilla. When the mixture has come together, heat it in the microwave (in short intervals, stirring frequently), until it is very, very soft. Fill each prepared candy cup with the mixture. Chill again for approx 30 minutes, or until set.
Melt all remaining chocolate and, when the candy fillings have set, fill each muffin wrapper up with chocolate. Chill until set.
Serve cold or at room temperature.

Makes 2 dozen.

Have a happy and sweet week!