Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies: National Peanut Day

Today is National Peanut Day. I have many fond memories of the Peanut. My nickname as a child was Peanut. Only one person called me that, but she was so special to me. All these years later I can still hear her chuckle as she called me Peanut. 

I also loved Mr. Peanut. I couldn't wait to see him when we went down the shore. Mr. Peanut would walk the boardwalk in Atlantic City, shaking hands with all and sundry. I'm sure I believed he was a large peanut.... but that's for another post. So if you want to celebrate National Peanut Day, eat some chocolate covered peanuts. It's easy to dip them in chocolate.. of course, remove the shell. The saltiness of the peanuts goes so well with dark chocolate.

But if you want to take it a step further, make this recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies and serve them on a bed of salted peanuts! I love Whoopie Pies whatever their origin. See a previous post on Whoopie Pies. The following recipe is from Martha Stewart's recipe for miniature Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies. As always use the very best chocolate, and in this case the best cocoa, too. Same goes for the peanut butter. The better the products, the better the taste.

Here's a tip for Presentation: Serve the Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies on a bed of peanuts. And, you can also sprinkle the Whoopie Pies with confectionary sugar!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies

For the Cookies:
1 - 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened DARK cocoa powder, not Dutch-process  (I use Ghirardelli)
1- 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt (Kosher salt)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
1 large egg
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Filling:
3/4 cup cream peanut butter

2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
Coarse salt, optional

Directions

Make cookies: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in small bowl; set aside.
Put butter, shortening, and sugars in bowl of electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on high speed until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add egg; mix until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Mix in half flour mixture, then milk, and vanilla. Mix in remaining flour mixture.
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake until cookies spring back when lightly touched, 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks 10 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks using a spatula; let cool completely.

Or you can use a Whoopie Pie Pan (I have several): Whoopie Pie Pan post

Make filling: Put peanut butter and butter in bowl of electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Mix on high speed until smooth. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add confectioners' sugar; mix until combined. Raise speed to high, and mix until fluffy and smooth, about 3 minutes. Season with salt, if desired.

Assemble cookies: Spread 1 scant tablespoon filling on bottom of 1 cookie. Sandwich with another cookie. Repeat with remaining cookies and filling. Cookies can be refrigerated in single layers in airtight containers up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.

PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CAKE: National Peanut Day

Happy Peanut Day! Here's a great Wartime Rationing Ad for Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake to celebrate the day! This recipe is still great today!

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER WHOOPIE PIES: National Peanut Day!

Today is National Peanut Day. I have many fond memories of the Peanut. My nickname as a child was Peanut. Only one person called me that, but she was so special to me. She was address me as Peanut and chuckle.

I also loved Mr. Peanut. I couldn't wait to see him when we went down the shore. Mr. Peanut would walk the boards, shaking hands with all and sundry. I'm sure I believed he was a large peanut.... but that's another post. So if you want to celebrate National Peanut Day, eat some chocolate covered peanuts. It's easy to dip them in chocolate.. of course, remove the shell. The saltiness of the peanuts goes so well with dark chocolate.

But if you want to take it a step further, mke this recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies and serve them on a bed of salted peanuts!. I love Whoopie Pies whatever their origin. See a previous post on Whoopie Pies. The following recipe is from Martha Stewart's recipe for miniature Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies. As always use the very best chocolate, and in this case the best cocoa, too. Same goes for the peanut butter. The better the products, the better the taste.

Here's a tip for Presentation: Serve the Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies on a bed of peanuts. And, you can also sprinkle the Whoopie Pies with confectionary sugar!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies

For the Cookies:
1 - 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened DARK cocoa powder, not Dutch-process  (I use Ghirardelli)
1- 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt (Kosher salt)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
1 large egg
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Filling:
2/3 cup natural, creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup umsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
Coarse salt, optional

Directions
Make cookies: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in small bowl; set aside.
Put butter, shortening, and sugars in bowl of electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on high speed until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add egg; mix until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Mix in half flour mixture, then milk, and vanilla. Mix in remaining flour mixture.
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake until cookies spring back when lightly touched, 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks 10 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks using a spatula; let cool completely.

Or you can use a Whoopie Pie Pan (I have several): Whoopie Pie Pan post

Make filling: Put peanut butter and butter in bowl of electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Mix on high speed until smooth. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add confectioners' sugar; mix until combined. Raise speed to high, and mix until fluffy and smooth, about 3 minutes. Season with salt, if desired.

Assemble cookies: Spread 1 scant tablespoon filling on bottom of 1 cookie. Sandwich with another cookie. Repeat with remaining cookies and filling. Cookies can be refrigerated in single layers in airtight containers up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.

PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CAKE: Retro Ad & Recipe for National Peanut Day!

Happy Peanut Day! Here's a great Retro Wartime Rationing Ad for Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake to celebrate the day! This recipe is still great today!

PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CAKE: National Peanut Day

Happy Peanut Day! Here's a great Wartime Rationing Ad for Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake to celebrate the day! This recipe is still great today!

Chocolate Bacon Peanut Bark: National Chocolate Covered Peanut Day!

Today is National Chocolate Covered Peanuts Day! Nuts to You!  

Chocolate and Bacon was the food chocolate trend several years ago, and I don't really think it's gone out of fashion. What a great pairing! Salty bacon with dark sweet chocolate is terrific. Add Peanuts, and you're good to go! Barks are so easy to make, too.

Susan Russo on NPR had a great article in 2010 on different pairings of bacon with different foods, but this was my favorite. It's simple to make.

Chocolate Bacon Peanut Bark  
adapted from Susan Russo's recipe

Ingredients
8 strips bacon
16 ounces fair-trade organic chocolate 60-75 % cacao (chunks or chips are fine)
1 cup unsalted peanuts

Directions
In large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon, turning several times, until browned and done, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate to drain. Chop finely.
Line large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Add chocolate to double boiler (or saucepan on top of another saucepan). Once water begins to boil, add chocolate. Using spatula, stir continuously, until smooth and creamy.
Stir in bacon and peanuts. Pour onto prepared baking sheet and spread to 3/8-inch thickness. Refrigerate for minimum of one hour. Bark should be hard and chilled.
Place bark on cutting board and cut  (or crack) into pieces — any size or shape you'd like.
Serve at room temperature.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies: National Peanut Day

Today is National Peanut Day. I love peanuts, and if truth be told my nickname as a kid was Peanut. Only one person called me that, but she was so special to me, and I remember her calling my name and chuckling. And, I used to love to go down the Shore to the Boardwalk to shake hands with Mr. Peanut. I'm sure I believed he was a large peanut.... but that's another post. So if you want to celebrate today's Food Holiday, eat some chocolate covered peanuts. It's easy to dip them in chocolate.. of course, remove the shell. The saltiness of the peanuts goes so well with dark chocolate.

But if you want to take it a step further, make this recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies. I love Whoopie Pies whatever their origin. See a previous post on Whoopie Pies.  The following recipe is from Martha Stewart's recipe for miniature Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies. As always use the very best chocolate, and in this case the best cocoa. Same goes for the peanut butter. The better the products, the better the taste.

Here's a tip for Presentation: Serve the Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies on a bed of peanuts. And, you can also sprinkle the Whoopie Pies with confectionary sugar!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies

For the Cookies:
1 - 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened DARK cocoa powder, not Dutch-process  (I used Ghirardelli)
1- 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt (Kosher salt)
1 tablespoon sweet butter, softened
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
1 large egg
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon pure Madagascar vanilla extract

For the Filling:
2/3 cup natural, creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup sweet butter, softened
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
Coarse salt, optional

Directions
1. Make cookies: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in small bowl; set aside.
2. Put butter, shortening, and sugars in bowl of electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on high speed until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add egg; mix until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Mix in half tflour mixture, then milk and vanilla. Mix in remaining flour mixture.
3. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake until cookies spring back when lightly touched, 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks 10 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks using a spatula; let cool completely.

Or you can use a Whoopie Pie Pan (I have several): Whoopie Pie Pan post

4. Make filling: Put peanut butter and butter in bowl of electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Mix on high speed until smooth. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add confectioners' sugar; mix until combined. Raise speed to high, and mix until fluffy and smooth, about 3 minutes. Season with salt, if desired. I like this**

5. Assemble cookies: Spread 1 scant tablespoon filling on the bottom of 1 cookie. Sandwich with another cookie. Repeat with remaining cookies and filling. Cookies can be refrigerated in single layers in airtight containers up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Peanut Patch Bundt Cake: National Peanut Day

Today is National Peanut Day! Chocolate and Peanuts go hand in hand. I've posted about Goobers, and I've posted all kinds of chocolate and peanut recipes, but one of the best sources for peanut chocolate recipes are tPeanut Associations.

Growers love to educate the public on recipes and uses for peanuts. This recipe for Peanut Patch Bundt Cake is adapted from Virginia-Carolinas Peanuts. The original recipe called for dates, but somehow I stopped using dates and just added a cup of peanut butter chips instead. So this is a very peanut-y recipe: chopped roasted peanuts, peanut oil, peanut butter chips, and peanutbutter.  Another variation on this bundt cake is to use a chocolate cake mix with chocolate pudding.

Peanut Patch Bundt Cake
Ingredients
Softened butter or cooking spray
1/2 cup finely chopped roasted peanuts
1 package (1 pound, 2.5 ounces) yellow cake mix
1 package (3-3/4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
1/2 cup peanut oil
1-1/4 cups water
4 eggs
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup peanut butter chips
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions
Preheat Oven to 350.
Grease a 10-inch Bundt pan with softened butter or cooking spray.
Sprinkle 1/2 cup finely chopped peanuts in pan. Shake pan in order to coat surface with nuts.
In a mixing bowl beat cake and pudding mixes, oil, water and eggs until well blended or four minutes on medium speed. Beat in peanut butter.
Pour 1/3 batter into pan; sprinkle with a layer of peanut butter chips and then a layer of chocolate chips. Repeat.
Pour remaining batter into pan and bake for 45- 50 minutes or until cake tests done.
Cool cake in pan for 10 minutes; turn out onto rack and cool.

International Chocolate Day + National Peanut Day: Chocolate peanut Butter Martini

Since today is International Chocolate Day (September 13), it's not surprising that I'll be at the Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival celebrating. But September 13 is also National Peanut Day. My friend Louise at Months of Edible Celebrations suggested a combination of the two. I think I found it in the perfect Martini: A Reese's Pieces Martini!

The Chocolate Peanut Butter Gallery is a great site devoted to chocolate & peanut butter. The tagline is a site dedicated to the world's two best ingredients. If you like these two ingredients, you'll love this site! I found this recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Martini on their site. It's originally from The Polished Palate! FYI: Castries is a Peanut Rum Creme made of Madagascan vanilla, roasted peanuts, spices, cream and St. Lucian rum. Here's a review of Castries on Scottes' Rum Pages.

Peanut Butter Cup Martini

Ingredients
2 oz Castries
1 oz Godiva Chocolate Liquor
1 oz Super Premium Vodka

Directions
1. Shake vigorously over ice and strain into a chilled martini glass
2. Optional: Line the Martini glass with chocolate syrup for additional effect

Here's an entirely different recipe for another alcoholic beverage: Creamy Chocolate Peanut Butter Martini from Karl McCall, Master Mixologist & Beverage Manager, at The Hotel Hershey. Did I mention that September 13 is also Milton Hershey's birthday? (1857-1945) So raise a glass!

Ingredients:
2 ounces Three Olives Chocolate Vodka
3 ounces Castries Peanut Rum Creme
1 ounce Dekuyper Butter Shots Schnapps

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.

Want something non-alcoholic? Reese's Pieces are always good. And, The Peanut Butter & Co makes a Peanut Butter blended with rich chocolate that you can use for the kids' sandwiches (or you, yourself, can just eat it from the jar).

Two great food celebrations in one!