Eat to the Beat! Peanut Butter Cup

Why do you build me up (peanut) butter cup, baby?

This was my inspiration for the Eat to the Beat blog event. Elly, over at Elly Says Opa, created a this event, where you have to make a dish that somehow relates to food. I struggled with this for several days, before I heard this song on the radio. With it’s catchy lyrics and up-beat tune, Build me up Buttercup, but The Foundations, is one of my favorite oldies songs. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of this sooner.

I was aiming to re-create the chocolate peanut butter cup dessert that is served at Uno’s. Nate loves this dessert. It has a crumbly cookie bottom, creamy peanut butter center and smooth chocolate top. I could not find any similar recipes out there, so I set out to make my own.

This is a very rich dessert, perfect for sharing!

Peanut Butter Cup Dessert

• 1 cup crushed chocolate cookies (I used chocolate Teddy Grams)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 4 tablespoons melted butter, divided
• 1 1/2 cups peanut butter
• 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (I think next time I may do 3/4 semi-sweet and 1/4 bitter-sweet)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine crushed cookie crumbs, sugar and 3 tablespoons melted butter. Divide and press into the bottom of 4 ramekins. Bake for 4-5 minutes in preheated oven, set aside to cool. (This step could probably be skipped, but I think baking the crust helps it hold together better)

Mix together peanut butter,  remaining tablespoon of butter and confectioners sugar, until smooth. Spread peanut butter mixture over cooled cookie crust.

Melt chocolate chips in a medium bowl over just barely simmering water, stirring occasionally. Pour chocolate over peanut butter mixture and spread into a smooth layer. Refrigerate for at least an hour.

To serve, dip ramekin into a bowl of warm water for a minute or so. Invert onto a plate, then onto serving plate. Serve with vanilla ice cream (I was out) and garnish with chocolate sauce.