My Mom put me up to making dessert for our family lunch on Sunday this week. Not wanting to disappoint, I took to Facebook and Twitter to see if anyone had a show-stopping recipe I just had to try.
The ideas came pouring in and were SO delectable (seriously – drooling in my PJs circa 9am reading all of them!) There were about five that looked so decadent I felt like I HAD to have them this afternoon – but I held out. Instead, I made babies.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Babies!!!
Oh, you thought I meant…oh my, no!
These sweet & chewy bites are basically homemade Larabars, squeezed into cute little baby balls – and they’re only 70 calories a ball!!
I’ve had this recipe, courtesy of Chocolate Covered Katie, in my back pocket for the past couple of weeks and knew they’d be perfect to cure my craving for a sweet treat, at a fraction of the calories. I started by adding dried chopped dates, salted peanuts and vanilla extract to my mini food processor.
Then I processed the heck out of it!
My dried dates were UBER dry, so after 3 minutes of no luck getting the mixture to come together, I added a teaspoon each of peanut butter and water.
Just the ticket!
When the mixture was processed enough to stick together when I squeezed some between my fingers, I transferred it to a bowl and stirred in 1/4 cup chocolate chips.
That’s right!
Finally I pressed and rolled the batter into 9 balls.
These will blow your sweet tooth out of the water, off the beach and clear onto the mainland. THEY ARE SO FREAKING GOOD. Only 70 cals a ball, and you’ll really only want 1 or 2 – they are really decadent. Sweet, chewy, peanut buttery (it’s a word) and those pops of chocolate are mouthwatering.
Check out Katie’s site for this luscious recipe. NOTE: I added one teaspoon each of peanut butter and water to her recipe, but if I had been using softer Medjool dates, I probably could have omitted it. I also stirred in 1/4 cup of milk chocolate chips at the end!
Runeatrepeat 02.26.2011
I think couscous is my favorite carb outside of bread! Love it :)
Katie 02.26.2011
Ooohh I posted the link to Chocolate Covered Katie for you a few weeks ago and I really really hope I was the inspiration for you to make those fabulous little babies! Aren’t they amazing?!
Iowa Girl Eats 02.26.2011
Oh my word – probably!!! Sorry, I try and give credit when inspiration is given and I blew it. I bow down to you because they are INSANE!
chocolate-covered katie 02.26.2011
Your blog is so freakin adorable! Oh my word. I love the baby photos, and the tofu tutorial is terrific. I never know how to cook my tofu!
p.s. Just sent you an email :).
Kristen 02.26.2011
I can’t believe you made tofu look to delicious! I checked out the photos of all the desserts listed…insanely tempting and good!
Britt 02.26.2011
I just found your cite yesterday & today I tired the sweet n sour chicken from a few post ago. I loved it, it tasted great and was really easy. I’m going to be making this either tomorrow or the next day. I <3 your blog.
Anita 02.26.2011
Ummm, YUM! Those little chocolate peanut butter babies look like a little bit of heaven. Have a good weekend!
Hannah @ PalmBeachRunner 02.25.2011
TGIF! Gotta try those PB Choc babies! YUM
Sandy a la Mode 02.25.2011
gah!! your food photography and your step by step instructions are amazing girl!!! i’m soo hungry now!!!
Clare @ Fitting It All In 02.25.2011
I have your PB &Chocolate chip balls in the fridge cooling, and now I want to make these too! Too much goodness!
Jess (Sweet Potato) 02.25.2011
Those babies looks delicious!! and I love calling them babies :)
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) 02.25.2011
I love making babies, lol! I need to buy dates in bulk!
elise 02.25.2011
if you soak dates first, it softens them up and adds moisture. that way you could probz omit the other part…not that youd want less peanut butter!!!
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) 02.25.2011
Excellent tip! I’ll have to try soaking them. Thanks!
Iowa Girl Eats 02.26.2011
Great idea! I don’t know what I was thinking buying those hard, trail-mix type chopped dates. Next time I’ll for sure buy softer ones!
anna 02.26.2011
You can soak the in any liquid too depending on what flavor you want – water, juice, alcohol, etc.
Courtney @ The Granola Chronicles 02.25.2011
That tofu looks delicious! The orange flavor sounds intriguing!
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef 02.25.2011
oooh i love the idea of tofu w/ orange sauce. yum! and thanks for linking me up :) enjoy your night!
Kendra! 02.25.2011
Loved the TWSS reference!! bahaha
my little celebration 02.25.2011
Your babies are so cute! And they look super delicious. I could just gobble them right up!
Have a great weekend, Kristin!
-Dana
Lisa (Dishes of Mrs. Fish) 02.25.2011
Speaking of desserts, my class had a day of trading today for our economics unit.
One of my kids brought these amazing treats in that I got to take home!
Two big ritz crackers in between a layer of thick peanut butter. Then fully dipped in white chocolate or milk chocolate. I was in LOVE.
My favorite was a GIANT cookie cake with the words: “Are you ready to barter?” written on it though.
I have been wanting to try tofu for awhile now. This looks like a great place to start!
erica 02.25.2011
your tofu dishes always look amaaaaazing!
lauramich 02.25.2011
Congratulations … those photos, and your description, have turned me into a drooling zombie. All I can do is stare and think, “Must … make … Chocolate …. Peanut … Butter … Babies!” :p
Amanda (Eating Up) 02.25.2011
Oh man, I’m pretty sure my bookmark ratio of sweet to savory recipes is 10:1.