Chocolate Almond Butter Food

CHOCOLATE-ALMOND BUTTER THUMBPRINT COOKIES

Steps:

• For the cookies: Adjust the racks to the top and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.
• Combine the butter and almond butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or in a large bowl if using a hand mixer). Beat on medium-high speed until smooth and combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the brown sugar and 1/3 cup of the granulated sugar and continue to beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Adjust the speed to medium-low and add the flour in two batches, mixing until just incorporated.
• Combine the chopped almonds and the remaining 3 tablespoons granulated sugar in a small bowl.
• Scoop out even tablespoons of cookie dough, roll into balls and then dredge in the almond-sugar mixture. Space the balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake until the cookies appear dry and slightly cracked on the top and golden brown on the bottom, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Use the rounded side of a teaspoon to make an indentation in the center of each cookie. Let them cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets, and then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
• For the chocolate ganache filling: While the cookies cool, combine the chocolate and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 45 second increments, stirring well between each, until smooth. Let cool completely at room temperature.
• Fill a pastry bag fitted with a medium star tip with the chocolate ganache. Pipe about 1 teaspoon of the ganache into the center of each cookie. Serve, or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

CHOCOLATE ALMOND BUTTER BUDDIES

Steps:

• In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and almond butter on medium-high speed until very smooth. Add the graham cracker crumbs and vanilla and beat again until smooth. On low speed, add 2 cups of the confectioners' sugar and beat to combine. Continue adding the sugar, about 1/2 cup at a time, until you can form a handful of the mixture into a slightly sticky ball. Refrigerate the dough just to firm it up a bit, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and put on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate the dough again just to firm it up a bit, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the chocolate chips and shortening in a double boiler or a bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Stir until smooth. Remove the bowl from the heat and let the chocolate cool and thicken while the buddies chill in the refrigerator. (You want the chocolate thick enough so you can dip and coat the buddies.)
• To dip them, poke a buddy with a wooden skewer or toothpick and swirl it in the melted chocolate, leaving a little of the almond butter mixture peeping out at the top. Drop it gently back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Once you've dipped all of the buddies, refrigerate them until the chocolate is set, about 30 minutes.

CHOCOLATE-ALMOND BUTTER CUPS

Steps:

• Line a mini muffin pan with paper liners and set aside.
• In a bowl, whisk together the almond butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, sea salt, and coconut flour until well combined; a smooth, thickish paste should form. Cover and chill in the refrigerator or freezer until thickened; 10 to 15 minutes.
• Remove from the freezer and roll into a log. Break into 24 equal pieces and mold each piece into a flat disk slightly smaller than the cups in the muffin pan. Set aside.
• Melt together the chocolate chips and coconut oil over a double boiler or in a microwave in 10-second increments, stirring until smooth.
• Drop a teaspoon of melted chocolate into each of the prepared cups, and shake/tap the pan to create a smooth, even layer.
• Place the disks of filling on top of the chocolate, and top with the remaining chocolate. Tap to eliminate air bubbles.
• Sprinkle with the flaky salt and freeze until set. Let come to room temperature before serving.