If you read this blog, you know I LOVE peanut butter (especially from Finds’ Fave Peanut Butter & Co) and that I am NOT a food blogger. That said, I was beyond delighted when Adam from PB & Co invited me to be a part of their Yum Squad – an ambassador group. Do I want to get access to new goodies and giveaways from one of my favorite companies? Hell, yes! It is good for me and it is good for you all, too! I get to test and giveaway delicious goodies from PB & Co all year long. Yay! The first challenge of 2015 is here!
PB & Co is celebrating of National Peanut Month in March by showcasing the versatility of peanut butter with the #MysteryIngredient challenge. Each Yum Squad member gets one of four mystery ingredients to be used with peanut butter in a recipe. My ingredient is…drumroll please…Espresso Powder. With the Espresso Powder, I received four jars of peanut butter (tough job – somebody has to do it!). They were Smooth Operator (plain/smooth), The Heat is On (Spicy), White Chocolate Wonderful and Dark Chocolate Dreams.
I engaged some of my more culinary friends in a discussion on what to make. We came up with a variety of baked goods (which you know I love but am not exactly good at making), smoothies and a chicken recipe (chicken thighs with an espresso rub and a spicy peanut sauce made with the Heat is On.)
My friend Jeff disclosed that the secret ingredient in his famous and much loved chocolate chip cookies is espresso powder. Jeff is a runner and Ironman triathlete who has baked more cookies since I met him in 2010 than I have in my whole life (times about 100). Jeff loves baking as much as I love… eating. I asked him for his ideas and he asked me “does this mean I have to make them?” Well, it was not hard to twist his arm. After some back and forth, Jeff picked his recipe: Peanut Butter & Co Thumbprint Cookies with Espresso Chocolate Ganache.
Here is Jeff’s post. Keep reading to the end to enter to win some peanut butter goodness for your own creations!
“Erica asked me to help her with Peanut Butter & Co’s Mystery Ingredient challenge. Incorporate espresso into a peanut butter recipe!
I immediately knew I wanted to do something with dark chocolate – a pinch of coffee or espresso brings out the richness and bold flavors of dark chocolate. Try it in chocolate chip cookies!
I decided to make peanut butter thumb print cookies. In place of the traditional jelly filling, I would fill them with a dark chocolate ganache! Martha Stewart has my go-to recipe for peanut butter thumb prints. I’ve also filled them with nutella (yum!) Note: I followed the cookie recipe as is, making a double batch.
Using a tablespoon cookie scoop – I made 8 cookies per sheet, 40 cookies total for the double batch. After 10 minutes of baking, make small indentations in the cookies (with the handle of a wooden spoon) for the filling. They may crack a little – that’s ok!
After the cookies have cooled completely, make the ganache. A traditional ganache uses cream, but butter works, too. I heated a bag of dark chocolate chips, ¾ stick of butter and 1 TBS instant coffee in a double boiler to keep the chocolate from burning. You could also use a microwave or sauce pan on low heat. Heat until the butter and chocolate have both melted and you have a thick sauce. Spoon into the indentation in the cookie. Let cool.”
I tested Jeff’s cookies to make sure that you would like them. Yup, you will like them! (You’re welcome.) And, he assures me that they are super easy to make. I like my way of having a personal baker, but for all you bakers out there, this recipe is a home run! I am planning to make the chicken thighs with espresso rub and spicy peanut sauce. I just ran out of time with all of my travels. I will let you know how it is!
Want to win a PB & Co Mystery Ingredient prize pack? Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter. The giveaway is open through March 17th. A winner will be selected and notified on March 18th. Winner must be a US resident, 18 years of age or older and it is void where prohibited.
As I mentioned in my original review, PB & Co is a company committed to the environment and their local community. Check out all of the great things that they are involved in HERE. They are also on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest. You may like Lee’s blog on Serious Eats and awesome recipes (updated every Tuesday). You can get the best deals on Peanut Butter & Co or find a store near you if you sign up for their newsletter HERE.
PS. Don’t forget my other great giveaways!
Please note:Â Â I was provided with free product in exchange for this review. I was not compensated for this post. All opinions expressed are my own. This stuff is awesome. I have and will continue to eat it with a spoon!