Apple slices with peanut butter are one of my kids' favorite snacks. In this version, I use regular peanut butter, soy nut butter, or homemade chocolate peanut butter to top apple slices, then sprinkle granola over them for a sweet and savory snack that's healthy, too.
Look for chocolate peanut butter or soy nut butter at your local health food store, such as Wild Oats or Whole Foods. Some larger supermarkets carry these gourmet nut butters, too. Or make your own chocolate cherry peanut butter.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
* 2 apples
* 3-4 Tbsp. peanut butter, chocolate peanut butter or chocolate soy nut butter
* 2 Tbsp. granola
Preparation:
1. Wash and core apples. Slice crosswise into 1/4-inch slices.
2. Spread nut butter over apple slices.
3. Sprinkle granola over top.
Chocolate Cherry Peanut Butter
This recipe is super easy for kids to make, but grown-ups need to be around to help with the food processor.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
* 2 cups roasted peanuts
* 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (such as Ghirardelli 60% double chocolate chips)
* 1-2 Tbsp. canola oil (as needed)
* 1/2 cup dried sweet cherries or cherry-flavored dried cranberries (such as Craisins)
Preparation:
You will need a food processor to make this homemade peanut butter. Have your grown-up assemble the food processor for you. Leave it unplugged until you add all of the ingredients, except the oil.
1. Place the peanuts and chocolate chips in the work bowl of a food processor, fitted with the metal blade.
2. Cover and process for 5-7 minutes until the mixture becomes smooth.
3. Remove the lid of the food processor. Using a spoon -- never your fingers! -- taste the chocolate peanut butter. If it is the right consistency, you don't need to add any oil. If you want it smoother, replace the lid, turn the food processor back on, and drizzle in one tablespoon of the oil at a time until the peanut butter reaches the right consistency.
4. Have your grown-up helper transfer the peanut butter to a bowl. Stir in the dried cherries. Spread on bread and top with your favorite jelly or sliced strawberries.
You can store this homemade chocolate peanut butter for several weeks in a tightly-covered container at room temperature.
Chocolate Peanut Butter
Ingredients:
* 2 cups honey roasted peanuts
* 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips (such as Ghirardelli 60% cacao chocolate chips)
* 2-4 Tbsp. peanut oil
* 1/3 cup broken pretzel pieces (not completely crushed; approximately 1/4-inch pieces)
* 4 slices sandwich bread
Preparation:
1. Place the peanuts and chocolate chips in the work bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade.
2. Cover and process approximately 5 minutes, stopping to scrape down occasionally, until the mixture starts to become the texture of a thick paste.
3. Scrape down sides. Slowly drizzle in the peanut oil, one tablespoon at a time, to give the peanut butter a chance to emulsify. Add only enough oil to make the peanut butter the consistency you like.
4. Transfer the chocolate peanut butter to a bowl. Stir in the pretzel pieces.
5. Spread two tablespoons of the chocolate pretzel peanut butter on one side of two slices of bread. Top with the remaining two slices of bread to make two sandwiches. Cut out using star cookie cutters.