Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Cupcakes Food

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER PRETZEL CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Chocolate Cake
• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two cupcake pans with 24 baking cups.
• Place the cocoa powder in the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment and pour the hot coffee over. Mix on low speed until a thick paste forms and the mixture stops steaming, about 1 minute.
• Increase the mixer speed to medium. In a 4-cup measuring cup, combine the buttermilk, oil, vanilla, egg, egg yolk, and salt and mix lightly with a fork, ensuring yolks are broken. Slowly pour into the mixer bowl.
• Stop the mixer, detach the paddle, and scrape the bottom of the bowl well to loosen any caked-on cocoa. Reattach the paddle and turn the mixer to medium, letting it run for 1 minute. Stop mixer again.
• Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda and add to the batter. Mix on low speed til just combined. Remove the bowl and paddle and use paddle attachment to scrape down the sides of the bowl, ensuring everything is mixed.
• Scoop the batter into prepared baking cups, filling them two thirds of the way.
• Bake in the middle of the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through. The cupcakes are done when the centers spring back when you touch them.
• Remove cupcakes from oven. Let cool completely.
• Peanut Butter Buttercream
• Prepare master recipe for buttercream . Once butter is added, add the peanut butter and salt and mix on high to combine. Taste for seasoning. If desired, add more peanut butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, or a pinch more salt. Continue until, after tasting, your eyes roll into the back of your head.
• Classic Ganache
• Place the chocolate in a bowl, and shake the bowl back and forth until the chocolate flattens out on top.
• Heat the cream and sea salt in a medium saucepan until it comes to a boil.
• Immediately pour the hot cream mixture over chocolate, and let sit for two minutes to allow chocolate to melt.
• Using a heatproof spatula, stir the cream and chocolate together until completely smooth.
• Allow to cool slightly before drizzling on the cupcakes. The ganache should not be hot to the touch; it should still be liquid. If it cools completely and becomes solid, microwave it on 50 percent power in 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until desired consistency is reached.
• Assembly
• Fill a pastry bag fitted with a plain tip with the peanut buttercream, and pipe onto each chocolate cupcake. Put the cupcakes into the refrigerator so the buttercream hardens, about 20 minutes.
• Pulse the pretzels and peanuts in a food processor until they're coarse crumbs. Alternately, place in a strong zip-top bag and repeatedly smack the bag with a rolling pin, a heavy skillet, or anything else you find enjoyable. Place the crumbs in a pie dish or baking pan.
• Remove the cupcakes from the refrigerator and gently roll the sides of the buttercream in the pretzel mixture. Pour a handful of the mixture over the top of each cupcake and lightly pack on with hand. Shake off any excess and set aside.
• Drizzle ganache across each cupcake.

NO-BAKE PEANUT BUTTER, CHOCOLATE AND PRETZEL BARS

Steps:

• Line an 8- or 9- inch square baking pan with foil.
• Melt 8 tablespoons of the butter and add to a large bowl. Add the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, vanilla and 1 cup of peanut butter and stir until well combined. Transfer the peanut butter mixture to the prepared baking pan and smooth with an offset spatula to create an even layer.
• Combine the chocolate chips, the remaining 4 tablespoons butter and the remaining tablespoon peanut butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted. Alternatively, this can be done over a double boiler. Pour the chocolate mixture over the peanut butter and smooth with an offset spatula. Arrange the pretzel sticks on the surface of the chocolate, pressing them lightly to adhere. Refrigerate until hardened, about 1 1/2 hours. Cut into squares to serve.

NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE PRETZEL PEANUT BUTTER SQUARES

Steps:

• melt butter.
• in medium bowl, add the melted butter, pretzel crumbs and confectioners sugar,.
• Add 1 cup of the peanut butter.
• Stir until well combined.
• press the mixture evenly into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
• Combine the chocolate chips with the remaining 1/4 cup of peanut butter.
• in a micro wave safe bowl.
• microwave for 30 second intervals (two should be enough).
• mix to blend.
• spread over peanut butter-pretzel layer.
• refridgerate for at least 1 hour before cutting into squares.

PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE PRETZELS

Steps:

• In a microwave or heavy saucepan, melt chocolate chips and 3 t. oil until smooth.
• Dip pretzels, shake off excess.
• Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheet to set and then refrigerate for one hour.
• Meanwhile melt the peanut butter chips and remaining oil.
• Transfer to a small resealable bag.
• Cut a small hole in the corner of bag, drizzle over 1/2 the pretzels and again refrigerate until hardened.
• Store in a airtight container.