I like being loaned children. You see I’m a fantastic aunt or friend of a parent. I can keep them entertained for a few hours usually with something food related. I don’t mean babies, I find the little things quite difficult to reason with-for starters they don’t answer back when you ask them what is wrong and try rationalising or bargaining with a baby, it just doesn’t happen. So when my friend Teena mentioned baby sitting her niece and her niece’s love of Peanut Butter cups, I knew that she was my little chef for the day.
I had been dying to make some more peanut butter cups ever since my precious supply of Elvis Peanut Butter and Banana Cups started to dwindle. Barbara so thoughtfully sent me some wonderful items to aid me in my quest for the never ending peanut butter cups. She sent me some peanut butter flavoured chocolate and a Peanut Butter cup mold. I sought out advice from some of my friends that gave me such fantastic ideas for the Pocky. I decided to make a Double Peanut Butter and Butterscotch version; Cookies & Cream Oreo and a Cinnamon and Praline Peanut Butter cup.
The measures below are approximate – it depends on the size of your pans – but if you happen to be using larger patty pans then you may have to adjust quantities. I found that they were too difficult to pop out of the Wilton mold so we resorted to making most of them in patty pans (my patty pans measured 3.5cms on the base and 2.3cms in height). As a precautionary measure I’d suggest refrigerating these, particularly the butterscotch variety. All in all it took 2 hours to make 36 of these with most of the time waiting for the chocolate to set and some time running around and watching The Disney Channel. Kids are often tough critics and they can be resoundingly blunt but Cookies & Cream Chick and her little brother as well as the adults adored these. And stay tuned for my next recipe, a Bannoffee Peanut Butter cup!
Yesterday was also Day One of my Lean Cuisine challenge where I was sent a 5 day supply of Lean Cuisine to eat for Lunch and Dinner. It’s been years since I cracked one open although I do remember liking a Chicken Marsala dish that came with rice and wild rice (well I liked the chicken part, not the rice so much). My fellow Lean Cuisine testers are ChocolateSuze and Jenius.
Sundried Tomato Cheese filled Tortellini
I was hungry, mainly because my fridge was full of cake and cake making ingredients and we were one day pre our weekly shopping expedition so I chose the Sundried Tomato Tortellini meal (368 calories, 97% fat free). I felt like pasta as it was a little chilly that day and I am crazy about sundried tomatoes. Heating it up for the requisite time I stirred it and let it cool for a bit before digging in. The pasta sauce was actually quite nice, in fact it reminded me of my favourite supermarket bottled pasta the Creamy Basil and Tomato Remano sauce from Aldi. The cheese filled tortellini wasn’t too bad although I do prefer it a bit more al dente and more filled with filling (they were a little deflated). Although considering it took all of 5 minutes to heat it wasn’t too bad at all especially for the calories.
For dinner I went for pasta again as I figured it would be more filling. I tried the Rich Beef Lasagne (388 cals). It took twelve minutes to cook in two six minute bursts and although it looked quite thin and pale, I paired it with some baby spinach, sweet corn kernels and my favourite Simon Johnson Sweet Onions of Tropea. I was happier with this dish, the lasagne was saucey and great for the number of calories. I don’t eat a lot of lasagne as I have this awful habit of attempting to eat the whole thing so this innate portion controlling suited me. I did get a bit peckish later that evening so I had a snack (wholemeal buttered bread with tuna). Now just to see if I lose any weight…
Butterscotch Double Peanut Butter Cups
An original recipe by Not Quite Nigella
- 180g/6ozs Peanut Butter flavoured chocolate melts
- 90g/3ozs dark chocolate melts
- 1/3 cup of smooth reduced fat peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons icing sugar sifted
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup of butterscotch sauce
1. Line a mini muffin tray with mini paper cups or use a peanut butter cup mold. Melt peanut butter chocolate in microwave or in a bowl over simmering water until smooth and melted. Using a teaspoon, spoon a little peanut butter chocolate into the bottom and using the spoon ease it up the sides so that the sides have a layer of peanut butter chocolate. Place in fridge until it sets (about 5 minutes).
2. Mix peanut butter, icing sugar and salt in a bowl. Using clean hands knead it until it it smooth and amalgamated. Once the chocolate has hardened, spoon a little butterscotch sauce into the cup. Then pinch a little peanut butter from the large piece and gently push into the cup.
3. Melt dark chocolate in in microwave or in a bowl over simmering water until smooth and melted and then using a spoon or a palette knife, smooth over a layer of the dark chocolate to seal the cup. Refrigerate until set.
Cookies and Cream Peanut Butter Cups
An original recipe by Not Quite Nigella
- 210g/7ozs white chocolate melts
- 2 Oreo cookies, broken up into crumbs with a mortar and pestle plus 2 Oreo cookies each broken into quarters
- 1/3 cup of smooth reduced fat peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons icing sugar sifted
- 1 pinch of salt
1. Line a mini muffin tray with mini paper cups or use a peanut butter cup mold. Melt white chocolate in microwave or in a bowl over simmering water until smooth and melted. Stir in crumbled cookies. Using a teaspoon, spoon a little of this chocolate mixture into the bottom and using the spoon ease it up the sides so that the sides have a layer of cookie chocolate. Place in fridge until it sets (about 5 minutes).
2. Mix peanut butter, icing sugar and salt in a bowl. Using clean hands knead it until it it smooth and amalgamated. Once the chocolate has hardened, pinch a little peanut butter from the large piece and gently push into the cup.
3. Using a spoon or a palette knife, smooth over a layer of the cookie chocolate to seal the cup. Refrigerate until set.
Cinnamon and Praline Peanut Butter Cups
An original recipe by Not Quite Nigella
- 240g/8ozs dark chocolate melts
- 1/4 cup of smooth reduced fat peanut butter
- 1.5 tablespoons icing sugar sifted
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup of cinnamon chips
- 1/4 praline or smashed up brittle
1. Line a mini muffin tray with mini paper cups or use a peanut butter cup mold. Melt chocolate in microwave or in a bowl over simmering water until smooth and melted. Using a teaspoon, spoon a little chocolate into the bottom and using the spoon ease it up the sides so that the sides have a layer of chocolate. Place in fridge until it sets (about 5 minutes).
2. Mix peanut butter, icing sugar and salt in a bowl. Using clean hands knead it until it it smooth and amalgamated. Once the chocolate has hardened, place a few cinnamon chips and a little praline into the cup. Then pinch a little peanut butter from the large piece and gently push into the cup.
3. Using a spoon or a palette knife, smooth over a layer of the dark chocolate to seal the cup. Refrigerate until set.
If you enjoyed this post, why not share it with your friends?
What is NQN up to now?
NQN on Facebook
RSS
46 Comments | Add your own
I was excited to see this post! I wish I’d had a babysitter like you when I was growing up! She’s a beautiful girl. Sounds like a fun day!
Great set of peanut cups! I especially like the cookies and cream one…
She’s so gorgeous-and she helped make those? I might try that with my lil sis!
I must say I was very surprised to see you with a fridge full of Lean Cusine! I would never have touched them before I started working at Nestle. They are not too bad for a quick meal. I will be interested in seeing how your week goes!
And yes, your helper for the day is beautiful and looked like she did a great job!
yum! oreo peanut butter cups!
good luck with the challenge! i could not imagine eating lean cuisine for a whole week..hmm.. is this a weight loss challenge?
I like the way you’ve done three different kinds. I’m not a fan of peanut butter, but I like your creative fillings.
those peanut butter cups look de-licious! and i agree re the mold vs patty pans. it can be nigh on impossible to get anything out of chocolate molds…
Wow, what cool varieties of peanut butter cups! Thanks also for the Lean Cuisine reviews…always hard to tell ahead of time whether they will be any good or not!
Why haven’t I ever eaten peanut butter with chocolate before??? What kind of deprived childhood did I have!? I’m going to try these but modified to use honey and raw chocolate. YUM!
Peanut Butter and Chocolate-proof that God loves us!!
Good luck with your Lean Cuisine challenge Lorraine!
I don’t mind Lean Cuisine, but don’t go out of my way to eat it.
It makes a quick, easy, semi-healthy lunch on those days I can’t be too fussed making something myself
Mmm peanut butter cups!!! I’m so making these!
My daughter was just asking me if we can make something new for dessert – these are perfect!
Appreciate your feedback on my post
Thanks!
I’m certain you both had a lovely time baking these delightful treats. I can’t wait to bake them with my kids!
Am definitely going to try the oreo peanut butter cups. I like me some oreo, yes.
Thanks for the recipe, Lorraine!
(And boy do I wish to have a babysitter like you growing up…)
Good luck with the Lean Cuisine challenge! Love those peanut butter cups – and your photos are as ever gorgeous.
Your kitchen helper is so gorgeous
Ooh peanut butter cups! Especially oreo! No doubt she’d want you to babysit her more often now!
Ah Lean Cuisine – I thought I was going to be away this week so I said no to doing it
I could do with that Lasagne now!
this lean cuisine challenge is fascinating to me.
you know, i’ve never eaten a frozen meal? i don’t know why it just kind of never occured to me
i am partial to soup in a can though.
oh wow peanutbutter cups galore! very nice
I too do a lot of food related activities when I babysit…looks like you two had a blast!
Peanut butter cupcakes.. Yum! Can’t wait for your banofee pie version
Good luck with your lean cuisine challenge.
I LOVE Baskins & Robbins chocolate & peanut butter ice cream too – really delish. As an Aussie living in the UK where do you get the peanut butter chocolate melts ? Maybe I can get my daughter to send some – love your blog
Good luck on the Lean Cuisine challange but I have to admit I’m not partial to frozen foods.
I have tried lean cuisine in the past.The pasta I found lacking in filling & meat dishes lacking flavour.
A friend of mine tried to buy one of these when we went shopping I persuaded her in buying eggs & some mushrooms & toast,told her it would take about the same time to cook,sure you have to do it,it’s just not a matter of sticking a container in the microwave,but oh so much more tasty.Good food to me is the real stuff unfortunatly can’t be found in the freezer section of a store.
Hee hee I am glad to see that you balanced out ur Lean Cuisine meal with some healthy and hearty PB cups ^^! Loving the varieties as well mmmm ^^!
Lean Cuisine for lunch and dinner? Pretty scary prospect! Is this some kind of aversion therapy? ;o)
I like the contrast of homemade peanut butter cups and lean cuisine meals. It’s all about balance!
I am with you on being ok with entertaining kids for a while, but babies being too frustrating. If I want to talk to someone who can’t talk back, I’ll talk to my tortoise – he’s less messy and smells slightly better anyway!
lean cuisine challenge? you have to eat that for both lunch and dinner? oh no! what is the reason for this self-torture?
still, those peanut butter cups look super amazing! I wish you were my aunt too, and I would pester you by coming over every single day to bake with you! you sound like the coolest aunt ever.
good heavens to betsy, lorraine! i would devour completely ridiculous amounts of each version you’ve made. frankly, i don’t know which i like best (but i suspect it’ll be the upcoming banoffee…).
and i know what you mean about babies–so frustrating.
Can I be your niece and make butterscotch double PB cups with you?
Good luck with the Lean Cuisines
The flavored PB cups you made look really yummy! I must see if I can get my hands on a mold. Did your friend Barbara say where she got it from?
Lean Cuisines for dinner and a few sweet cups for dessert. The praline one sounds hard to refuse.
droool…..peanut butter cups. YUM! NOW I’M REALLY HUNGRY!
Hi Barbara-Thanks so much for all of the goodies!
It was a fun day indeed and also because she seemed to
have so much fun!
Hi Anita-Thankyou! That was the kid’s favourite I think
Hi Aubrey-She’s like a model in the making the way she posed!
Hi Vita-It’s been a good 15 years since I last ate one!
I do like the convenience factor and the
calories. She was fantastic!
Hi Betty-Thanks! I don’t know, I’m not really looking at it like one although the girls in the rooom might be
as they’re working out. This is an eating challenge and if I happen to lose weight, great
Hi Arwen-Thanks! I figured while we were there, we may as well try other flavours!
Hi shez-Thanks!
I know, I didn’t realise how hard it would be! 
Hi sara-THanks!
Yes I am really curious about which flavours I’ll like the best!
Hi Tiffany-Oh no, really?! You poor thing! Yes definitely give them a try, they’re really moreish. Hubby took
some to work and people were offering to pay for them
Hi Bethie-I hear you, you’re right there!
Hi red neon hearts-Thankyou!
Yes I think the convenience factor is a big plus for me 
Cool! I’d love to
know what you think of them
Hi 5 Star Foodie -Very cool! They’re perfect to do with kids. You’re welcome, it sounds like you had some
great food there!
Hi Brenda-Wonderful! I hope you have lots of fun and if you make them I’d love to know what you think of them
Hi Taiko Tari-Hehe I like them in this! Haha I’m good for a few hours of cooking fun!
Hi Cakelaw -Thankyou!
That’s so sweet of you to say!
Hi Y-She is!
Hi Karen-I’m happy to babysit her as she is well behaved which I think goes a long way
Ah no, what a
pity!
Hi reddoorread-Hehe that’s probably not a bad thing? Although I find it hard not to at times, especially when
I was at uni
Hi Alexandra-Thankyou!
Greta idea and in a way I think it makes them tired. However the ensuing sugar rush
after consumption needs to be taken into account
Hi foodie-central-Thanks! Won’t be long now
Thankyou so much!
Hi Chris-Oh yes that is pretty good
Another blogger Barbara from Barbara Bakes sent me them. I don’t know
if they are available here or in the UK I’m afraid! Sorry! Thankyou so much!
Hi Anna-Yes a lot of people feel that way but sometimes it’s hard for people that work late or erratic hours
to do a shop and have fresh food in the fridge!
Hi FFichiban-Haha well in my defence the PB cups were made the week before the LC challenge. Although one
could argue the eating of calorie controlled meals means that you can eat these sorts of things!
Hi arista-Hehe it’s not so bad!
Hi anna-Haha yes I think it’s like ordering a Diet Coke with a 1/2 pound burger
I get all scared when
babies start crying because I simply have no idea what to do! Haha yes pets are different, and thankfully
there’s no crying which is a big plus! LOL your tortoise sounds adorable!
Hi Sophia-Haha sounds like you’re definitely not a fan!
Haha well perhaps I could loan myself out as a
rent an aunt?
Hi grace -Yes the bannoffee was frighteningly good I have to say. For bannoffee lovers only (and really, who
on earth is a bannoffee hater?
)
Hi Blond Duck-Haha sure! But I would love a story from you
Hi Kathy-Thankyou!
Thanks for the flavour suggestions! It’s a Wilton mold so I assume it would be fairly widely distributed 
Hi The Duo Dishes-Haha it’s all a matter of balance right?
The adults loved that one!
Hi Maria-hehe sorry to make you hungry!
Yummy!!! Anything to do with Chocolate or Peanut butter is always good
Perhaps I should’ve done this with my cousin’s daughter, she would’ve liked that too!
I LOVE lean cuisine meals! I should do that challenge too…
Darling post, and just look at all those Lean Cuisine’s…good luck with your challenge!
Looking forward to your Bannoffee Peanut Butter Cups. My mouth is watering already
Hi Carolyn-Hehe this was a bit for me and a bit for her too so both adults and kids can enjoy
Hi howtoeatacupcake-Do you? Perhaps they’ll do something similar in the US?
Hi Sandie-Thankyou so much! Yes the Bannoffee ones were something special indeed
MMMMM…Those peanut butter cups look delicious!! I love the variations!! The lasagne looks great too,as allways!! Looks like you had a lot of fun! Yum!
Hi Sophie-Thankyou so much! We did indeed
I make peanut butter cups all the time, though they are more related to Reeses in that they tase exactly like them
Your post made me happy.
Pascal’s young cousin has been bugging me to make her more PB cups for the past week. haha.
Hiya!
For all those wanting to purchase the peanut butter/ chocolate melts, the Nestle are available from USA foods, you can order online (with all sorts of other weird foods!) at:
http://www.usafoods.com.au/p3616/cake-mixes-baking-chips-amp-flour/nestle-swirled-milk-chocolate-peanutbutter/
(sorry for huge link, I don’t know how to URL)
Lu
Hi ArtemisIII -Hehe cool!
They’re so good aren’t they and so easy to make!
Hi Lula-very good to know, thanks! I hope they get in the Hersheys cinnamon chips. They are my absolute favourite and instantly addictive.
X Kiara:
Mmmm!!! quanto vorrei essere il con te ad assaggiarli! Ora li farro anch’io qui in italia!!!un bacio grosso alla mia cuginetta!!
Giulia
They have them in!
http://www.usafoods.com.au/p3781/cake-mixes-baking-chips-amp-flour/hersheys-cinnamon-chips/
Enjoy…. I know if I bought some, I’d probably eat them before they got baked into something haha
Hi Giulia-Great! Thanks for leaving a message
Hi Lula-YAY finally an Australian supplier! Thanks so much for letting us all know
i just recieved a shipment mrs fields peanut butter dream bars so good almost as good as peanut butter cups i look forward 2 your blog everday xxx
One Trackback/Pingback
[...] messy handwriting (a handwriting profiler would think I were a doctor). Given my adventure making Peanut Butter cups only a few days before I wasn’t able to put this to the back of my mind like I had when I had [...]
Post a Comment