I've been making "Almond Butter Cups" for the man of the house. He has a sweet tooth, but avoids eating anything that contains artificial ingredients. As the saying goes...Necessity is the Mother of Invention, so here's my take on the traditional peanut butter cup, using all organic ingredients and almonds instead. I start by s-l-o-w-l-y melting 3/4 cup chocolate chips + 2 T. vegetable shortening over a double-boiler. While chocolate is melting, combine in a small bowl: 1/3 cup almond butter and 1/4 cup powdered sugar. Set aside.
I like to use the foil paper-lined candy cups. Mini muffin tins work great for this too and help these keep their shape while setting-up in the fridge. To assemble, use the tip of a regular teaspoon, and put about a half a teaspoon or so of melted chocolate in each of the candy cups, filling about 1/3. Add a tiny dollop of the sweetened almond butter, filling to 2/3. Top off with more chocolate, and a nut. (I use sprouted almonds.) Makes about 2 dozen. These little candy morsels are best when devoured at room temperature the next day after the flavors mingle. The hardest part of all this, of course, is the waiting.
For some reason, the bowl of salad on my lap doesn't taste as good as those almond cups look. I don't know why. *Sigh*
Posted by: LisaAlso | December 20, 2007 at 07:00 PM
I would love that cookie cutter drawer! Merry Christmas!
Posted by: dawn | December 20, 2007 at 07:14 PM
Thank you for this post. So Christmassy and happy. It's an inspiration. I've been THINKING of making some cookies. Now I feel I really will make them.
Posted by: paula luckhurst | December 21, 2007 at 02:29 AM
Delicious! Wishing you & yours a very Happy Holiday Season, peace and many blessings in the New Year ((HUGS))
Posted by: Tracy | December 21, 2007 at 07:30 AM
I love your drawer full of cookie cutters! What a treasure. A few years ago we split up my moms collection and it is so fun to use cookie cutters that I used as a child. Love the angels!
Posted by: Stephanie | December 22, 2007 at 03:13 PM
Is that a cross-hatch wire cooling rack (not sure how best to describe it ...)? I have been looking all over for one of those! I hate when cooling goodies fall between the wire rows on my regular cooling racks.
Posted by: ellen | December 31, 2007 at 11:04 AM