Peanut butter is one of the great foods in the universe. Whether used in a savory meal with coconut milk and chili sauce over noodles, or forming an integral half of the work of art that is known as a PB&J, peanut butter is a beautiful thing. And it is especially fabulous, I think we can all agree, in cookies!But sometimes you don't feel like baking, or you want something a bit different than a traditional peanut butter cookie with the cross-hatching. What's a girl to do then???
Make these no-bake treats that are a hybrid of cookie and candy, that's what!
These could be made with butter, but one of my goodie recipients has a severe dairy allergy; so I made these with Earth Balance butter substitute -- it's the only one I'll use that has a reasonable taste and the proper consistency. And I used dairy-free chocolate chips for dipping them. Nothing particularly difficult or hard to find -- yay!
No one will know they're non-dairy, trust me ... :) These are delightful, delectable, delicious ... try them and choose your own adjective!
Peanut Butter No-Bake Treats
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup chocolate graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup Earth Balance butter substitute, softened
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1-1/4 cups non-dairy chocolate chips
1 teaspoon oil
Lightly grease a sheet of foil and place it on a baking sheet.
In a large bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, graham cracker crumbs, Earth Balance and peanut butter.
Stir everything together, using your hands if necessary, until the mixture holds together.
Roll into 3/4" balls and set on a tray. (Some are darker than others because, near the end, the mixture became a bit dry. I added a touch of almond milk, then it was too soggy; so I added a few more graham cracker crumbs and was back to work!)
Melt the chocolate chips and oil together in a small saucepan over low heat. One by one, drop the peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate; roll the ball with a fork to make sure it's completely covered, then use the fork to lift it out of the chocolate. Wipe excess chocolate off on the side of the saucepan, then place the dipped treat onto the prepared sheet of foil. Continue until all of the peanut butter treats have been dipped.
Refrigerate the treats for 15 minutes to help set the chocolate, then serve.
Makes about 30 treats.
