Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites

If anyone truly knows me or my sweet tooth, they would know I absolutely love any combination of chocolate and peanut butter. On the other hand, Mikey has more of a salty tooth; He loves pretzels! Over Valentines Day (yes, almost 8 months ago and just now posting), I decided to bake Mikey and I a little treat that we would both love. When I was looking for things to make, I about died and went to heaven when I saw this recipe: Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites. How much better could that sound? Or even taste? They were AMAZING! I thought Reese’s where addicting, however, it is incredible how addicting these little bites were. It is the perfect combination of sweet and salty!

I have yet to make them again because I am afraid how many I might consume in such a short amount of time. I might make them over the holidays with a drizzle color for either Thanksgiving or Christmas. We shall see! In addition, I doubled the recipe because I made a white chocolate and a chocolate covered version. I advise anyone to never do that due to it being heaven in your mouth! In addition, you just might be coming to visit me at work with a cavity ;)

Have you had enough just hearing about these delicious bites? Try them out yourself:

Ingredients:
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
• ¾ cup light brown sugar
• 60 square pretzels
• 1 semi-sweet Bakers Chocolate Baking Bar OR chocolate melts
• Colored Chocolate Melts of your choice

Directions:
1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together peanut butter and butter. Stir in sugars until thickness forms.
3. Roll the peanut butter dough into 30 small balls. If it is too sticky, add a little more powdered sugar.
4. Sandwich balls between two pretzels and place on prepared baking sheet. Freeze for 10 minutes (or longer if you get distracted like I do). If you had more peanut butter balls, try not to eat them like me – you can make more little pretzel sandwiches!

5. While the pretzel bites are chilling, break up the chocolate and melt. Melt the chocolate in the way you feel most comfortable. IE over the stove, in the microwave, or the Wilton Chocolate Melting Pot (like I used because I’ll burn the chocolate otherwise, once again, I get highly distracted).

6. Dip the pretzel bites into the melted chocolate and place sandwich bite back on baking sheet (I put it on a fork and then tap the edges to help some of the access chocolate to fall). Refrigerate the dipped bites for at least 10 minutes for chocolate to set.

7. Melt the colored chocolate melt of your choice. Drizzle your colored chocolate melts over the pretzel bites to add a little design to your bites! Don't worry about getting it on the paper. It will peel right off once they are dried and have a pretty little design.

8. Enjoy!!!!

Sneaky, Sneaky

I am turning into my mother. Yes, you heard me correctly. Never thought I would say that, however, it’s true. At 23 years old, I am already doing things my mother use to do. Growing up with two sisters, I’m not sure how my mom fed us with our wide variety of taste buds; my mom was always trying to make sure we all ate the same main course dinner and still got our veggies in. She was great at it too! Now that I have been with Michael, I have really noticed how I have to leave certain foods out of dishes or only on my half since Michael and I do not have the same taste buds. Some foods that I eat at least once a week are peppers and cauliflower. Michael cannot stand either of them! Every time I make them, he always hopes it’s for my plate only or for work. He will always tell me how much he hates them and will not eat them!

Over the summer, I decided to try a homemade pizza with cauliflower crust. I remember telling Michael how wonderful it was and so delicious! I remember exactly what he said in response, “Do not ever make me that healthy crap. I’ll order my own pizza if you ever make that around me.” Well the other night I put cauliflower on the counter to unthaw. Michael never said anything to me. After the gym, we did the typical wife/husband ordeal (yes, already). I was in the kitchen making dinner while Michael was watching Monday night football. When I brought dinner to him, he was so excited to have pizza with football. He knew I was trying to make it healthier with the shrimp, spinach, and mushrooms on top. Secretly, I was giggling as he was devouring the pizza. He was saying how delicious this was and even went back for seconds. As I continued to giggle, he was asking what was so funny. After the ENTIRE pizza was gone, I told him he just ate cauliflower pizza. He said he couldn’t believe it and never would have notice. Therefore, I snuck in a healthier version of pizza in on my man. I am quite proud of sneaking him into trying something new!

If you want to try it out, this is what I did:

Cauliflower pizza crust:
• 1 bag frozen cauliflower
• 1/2 C egg whites
• 1 whole egg
• 1/4 C coconut flour
• 1/2 tsp fresh thyme
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste

My Toppings:
• Shrimp
• Spinach
• Mushrooms
• Shredded Cheese
• Meat Sauce

Instructions:
• Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees.
• Allow cauliflower florets to unthaw. Once unthawed, mix in a food processor or blender. Blend until it is "riced" (in very small rice-like pieces).
• In a small bowl, combine cauliflower, coconut flour, egg whites, egg, and spices.
• Spray the pizza pan and/or pan you would like to use. Press your "dough" onto one sheet to create a thin crust (1/8-1/4 inch thick). Cook for 15-20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, saute toppings with a bit of olive oil. Chop other toppings to desired size.
• When crust is done (should have turn slightly golden and firmed up), Top crust with tomato sauce (or whatever you prefer) and toppings. Return to oven and bake for 10-15 more minutes.
• Remove from oven and sprinkle with your favorite additions.
• Note: Your oven might be different than mine so always keep a watch on the cauliflower crust and toppings!

See, I told you -- we ate the entire thing: