As I’ve made it (more) than abundantly clear that I love a good dessert, it’s only natural for my first recipe here at The Wooden Spoon Healthy Eating to be just that!
I’m here to share with all of you an easy and, of course, delicious treat that’ll satisfy that sweet tooth!
Ah, peanut butter. Whip up some of these peanut butter dessert bites for a summer potluck, a finger-food dinner party, or even just because (my favorite)! That said, don’t worry if you have a peanut allergy because these dessert bites can easily be made with almond, cashew, etc., butter instead - however, I’ll admit that flavor-wise, peanut butter is by far my favorite version! Whether paired with chocolate, fresh fruit, or even on its lonesome, whether crunchy or creamy, it never fails to hit the spot for me.
You’ll need a whopping three items for this dessert: peanut butter, cream cheese, and confectioner’s-style (powdered) Erythritol.
While peanut butter is an item most people likely have on hand, I want to stress how important it is to purchase natural peanut butter. By ‘natural,’ I mean peanut butter made of just peanuts and Salt, nothing more, nothing less. As I mentioned, you can use any type of nut butter for these bites but be wary of the sugars hidden in many! My preferred brand is Smucker’s Natural Crunchy Peanut Butter.
Not to mention, that last ingredient might have you wondering: what exactly is Erythritol? Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that doesn’t create the same insulin spike (aka a sugar rush) that sugar leaves you reeling with, and it is most commonly made from corn. If you’ve never heard of Erythritol and are skeptical, stick around, and I wager it’ll become a staple in your pantry! I opt for an Erythritol and Monk-Fruit blend when baking to avoid the slight cooling effect in your mouth that is using Erythritol can cause. You can use other sweeteners such as Stevia, but be sure that it is a 1 to 1 ratio to sugar. Stevia can be up to three times sweeter than sugar!
For extra variation, add crushed peanuts for texture or dip it in 90% dark chocolate for another flavor element!
Now that we’ve gone over what’s in these dessert bites, the fun part is how to make them!
With a superb balance of protein and healthy fats, I hope these dessert bites help you enjoy a tasty, nutritious treat with those closest to you! Enough said - foodies, it’s time to get baking!
Here’s to health,
Sofia Vivas
Contributor & Founder of The Wooden Spoon Healthy Eating Blog
Wine Pairing: Luc Pirlet Chardonnay Oaked from the Vins De Pays d'Oc region in France
Peanut Butter Dessert Bites
Yield: ~15 "Bites"
Prep Time: ~10 Minutes Inactive Time: ~1 Hour 10 Minutes Total Time: ~1 Hours 20 Minutes
Pork Ingredients
1. 1 (8 oz.) Package Cream Cheese (Softened)
2. 1/2 Cup Natural Peanut Butter
3. 1/2 Cup Powdered Erythritol (Sugar Substitute)
4. Crushed Peanuts (Optional)
5. 90% Dark Chocolate
Guide
1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to blend the cream cheese and the peanut butter.
3. Once well-blended, add half of the Erythritol and continue to blend with the hand mixer. Repeat the process with the remainder of the Erythritol.
4. Using a cookie scoop, divide the mixture onto the prepared sheet.
5. If you use peanuts, sprinkle them on top of each bite and press them in slightly.
6. Freeze for a minimum of 1 hour.
7. Before eating, allow the bites to sit out for 10-15 minutes. Melt your chocolate, then drizzle it or dip the Peanut Butter Bites in the chocolate and let it set.
Recipe By: Sofia Vivas Thewoodenspoonchefs.com
Did you make this recipe? Take a picture and tag on instagram at the_wooden_spoon_chefs