Cooking Lesson #626: Peanut Butter & Jelly Chocolate Bars With Salted Chocolate Ganache

…from the Perspectives’ Kitchen

How you doin’?  Peanut butter and jelly have been a perfect pair for generations! And peanut butter and chocolate are another perfect pair, right?
 
So, if you like Reese’s—and who doesn’t?—you’ll love this treat even more with the sweet layer of your favorite jelly, and because everything tastes better when made fresh in your own kitchen.
 
Soon, everyone will be drooling over this homemade, out-of-the-box chocolate bar combination!
 
Prep time:  15 minutes
Cook time:  5 minutes
Chill time:  45 minutes
Yield:  9 servings
 
Ingredients 
Nonstick cooking spray, for baking dish (I prefer Pam)
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 
1 cup creamy peanut butter (I prefer Skippy)
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted melted butter
1/2 cup grape jelly (any flavor jelly works well)
8 ounces semisweet baking chocolate, chopped into small pieces (I prefer Guittard)
1 cup heavy cream 
1 teaspoon flaky sea salt, optional
 
Directions

1. Coat the bottom and sides of an 8 X 8-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
2. In a large bowl, stir to combine the confectioners' sugar, graham cracker crumbs, peanut butter, 1/8 teaspoon salt and melted butter.
3. Press the mixture into the prepared baking dish and set aside.
4. Spread the jelly over the peanut butter mixture.
5. Place the chocolate and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl.
6. Heat the cream in a small saucepan until bubbles start to form around the edges.
7. Pour the cream over the chocolate, let sit for 1 minute and then whisk until completely melted and smooth.
8. Pour the ganache over the peanut butter mixture.
9. Refrigerate until the chocolate is cooled and set, at least 45 minutes or overnight.
10. Sprinkle evenly with the flaky sea salt.
11. Cut into 9 squares to serve.

ChefSecret:  An off-set spatula is a very handy tool and the perfect one to thinly spread the jelly over the peanut butter mixture.

Quip of the Day: Q: What kinds of sandwiches do whales eat? A: Peanut butter and jellyfish!
 
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Do you have a question or comment?  Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide.
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America and/or American Red Cross.

#Dessert #PeanutButterAndJellyChocolateBars#PBJ #PeanutButter #Jelly #Chocolate #NPB #NationalPeanutBoard #2023Recipes #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup  

                                                                             ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2023

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