COOKING: Bourbon Brittle Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups for your Valentine
Everything may be terrible all the time these days, but it’s less terrible with candy? Which is why I made this bourbon brittle peanut butter cup recipe today. A sweet little Valentine’s treat, and by a little, I mean a lot. These are very rich, so you may want to share them with a sweetie, or not. But whoever you make these for, they’ll definitely feel loved (and don’t hesitate to show yourself that love, ok? Because you’re worth it)!
If you love Reese’s but never thought about making your own, or if you were too intimidated by making candy, you should give this chocolate peanut butter cup recipe a try… it’s very simple. These decadent jumbo peanut butter cups are made in full-size muffin tins. You can use mini muffin tins if you have them and have liners for them, but… why? Sometimes excess is exactly appropriate.
You can make these homemade candies with just a hint of bourbon flavor, or add a bit more to make them pack a punch… up to you. How does that old saying go… “Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker”… and porque no los dos? Obviously, if kids may be sharing these with you, you’ll want just a hint of bourbon (or to heat the bourbon to cook off the alcohol or use a flavored extract). But this peanut butter cup recipe is versatile, and it’s rich enough that you can leave it out and they’ll still be delicious.
I hope your day is as sweet as these! And if it’s not already, making and eating a few of these peanut butter cups will help. Trust me. No need to wait for Valentine’s day, or even a special day… (pssst, I’ll let you in on a secret. TODAY is a special day, if you want it to be).
Bourbon Brittle Bittersweet Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Equipment
- muffin pan
- paper or foil muffin tin liners
- food processor or mixer
Ingredients
Peanut Butter Filling
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 cups peanut butter creamy or chunky
- ⅓ cup butter softened
- 1 tsp sea salt or Himalayan pink salt (reduce if you use salted butter)
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp bourbon (can use less or more to taste)
- ½ cup peanut brittle crushed (use food processor or ziploc and rolling pin)
Chocolate
- 12 oz bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp clarified butter, ghee, or coconut oil
- 3 tbsp bourbon one jigger
Garnish
- ⅓ cup peanut brittle crushed (use food processor or ziploc and rolling pin)
Instructions
Peanut Butter Bourbon Brittle Filling
- Gather all ingredients, and line a muffin tin with paper or foil liners.
- In a food processor (or mixing bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment) pulse or mix to combine the powdered sugar, salt, butter, and peanut butter.
- Add the vanilla and the bourbon (less if you'll be sharing this with children, more if it's for adults or to taste- start with less and add more as you pulse) and mix well.
- Add the peanut brittle crumbles and pulse lightly just to combine. Set aside while you make the chocolate cups.
Melt Chocolate
- In a double boiler or small heavy bottomed pot over low heat, melt the butter and add chocolate chips.
- Stir gently until the chocolate is melted. Do not let the mixture get too hot or they will scorch or seize- gentle low heat is key here. You can also use a microwave.
- Using a spoon or small spatula, use about 2/3rds of the melted chocolate to fill the bottom and sides of the prepared cups with a thin layer of chocolate. It won't be perfect, just try to get an even layer and coverage at least half-way up the sides of the liners. Put this in a fridge or cold place to chill and set up.
- Keep remaining chocolate warm but don't let it burn, or gently reheat before the last step.
- Divide the filling among the cups, pressing it into an even layer and to get rid of air pockets using a spatula or clean fingers.
- Cover the peanut butter filling with the reserved chocolate and garnish with crushed peanut brittle, if desired. Chill about 3 hours or until firm. Store in a cool, dry place.
