Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Candy Petit Fours

Whew! That is a mouthful but the words alone cause me to salivate (was that TMI?)!

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Candy Petit Fours

 

They are easy to make. To die for Delicious and easy to display.

 

 Translation?  I like them because they take no time and they make me look real smart like in the kitchen! 

And anytime I can use the word Petit Four to describe something I made with my own two hands...I am in!

BTW: Wikipedia defines Petit Four as a small confection generally eaten at the end of the meal (or instead of the meal). Parentheses mine.


Let's get started shall we?

Grab yourself some "gourmet" cookie dough from the refrigerated section of your favorite Grocery Store (mine is HEB).  I used both Nestle and Pillsbury Chocolate Chip because that is what I had coupons for. (always trying to save money!)

Next, simply seperate the pre-made squares like so. 

Form cookie piece into a ball-ish type shape.  I didn't even waste time perfectly rolling them.  I just kinda smashed down the corners a bit...you get the idea.

And plop them in a mini-muffin pan. (one in each hole of course!). Side Note: The Nestle cookies I purchased came 24 squares to a pack so that worked perfect for my 24 slot mini-muffin pan.  The Pillsbury cookies came only 12 to a pack because they were super-sized.  You will need to cut the super-size ones in half so that you have 24.  Make sense?  Sorry forgot to snap a picture of that.

After you have every slot in your pan full, you are ready to bake.  A Little Baking Tip:  Don't be scared if you get to the end of your dough and your pan looks something like this:

I repeat. Don't be scared.  You are not off on your math calculations and no there is not a cookie thief in your house. 

It might just be that someone got a little hungry.  I mean how can a girl look at all that raw cookie dough and not eat at least a few.  Just saying.... (BTW, apparently raw cookie dough can make you sick so I wanted to be official and say that.  But my family doesn't happen to live by that restriction.  We are a bit obsessed with our dough)

So like I was saying...bake cookies at 350 degrees for 15-18 min. While your cookies are in the oven, go ahead and get your candies (toppings ready)

  

  I used mini Resses Peanut Butter Cups, regular M&Ms, mini-marshmellows and Hershy Kisses (last 2 not pictured). Try not to get distracted with those beautiful naked Reeses Peanut Butter cups staring right at you...try and remember you already ate several scrumptious balls of cookie dough. You can do it! 

And of course don't forget to take the cookies out of the oven when timer goes off.

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A little Baking Tip: Everyone's oven is a little different.  Just like God made all of us girls different and there is no other Sharee in the world...there are no two ovens alike either.  (yes I enjoy talking in the 3rd person don't be a hater).  I only baked mine for about 12 min. (instead of the suggested 15-18min).   Just keep a close eye and when they started getting golden around the edges they are done.

As soon as cookies are out of the oven, quickly begin placing a peanut butter cup in the center of each.

Press peanut butter cup into the cookie until the top of the cup is flush with the top of the cookie. You must do this while pan and cookies are still piping hot..so be careful!

After you finish placing the peanut butter cups in the center, finish each dessert off with a little magic...or a little something something...or the finishing touch!

           

I paired M&Ms with my Peanut Butter Cups.

This is where you can go crazy and be a little creative.  Place the candies in a design or add as little or as many as you want.  I decided that I liked the look of 3 chocolate candies on each.

At this point you are done!  Wait until slightly cooled and then use a pie spatula to get the ooey gooey cookie Petit Fours out of the pan.

Another variation is what we refer to as the Smore Pettit Four. 

Simply substitute the Peanut Butter Cup for a Hershey's Kiss.  Then I add the chocolate candies AND a few miniature marshmallows on top.  The result?  HEAVEN!  You will just have to see for yourself. 

It really is as simple as that!  I finished 4 dozen in less than an hour...start to finish!

Don't forget to put them on a cute cake stand.

Or package them up in bags for individual treats. (this helps reduce consumption that may or may not happen late at night by a certain dessert loving gal)

You can also use any flavor cookie dough you want...peanut butter cookies would be out of this world! What about Peanut Butter M&Ms? Yummmmm!

Here is the recipe all at once:

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Candy Petit Fours

1 Bag of Pre-made chocolate chip cookie dough (24 count or 12 count cut in half)

1 Bag of M&Ms

1 Bag of Resses Peanut Butter Cups (minature)

For the Smore Petit Four

1 Bag of pre-made chocolate chip cookie dough (24 count or 12 count cut in half)

1 Bag of Hershey Kisses
1 Bag of Minature Marshmellows
1 Bag of M&Ms

1. Separate cookie dough squares and roll into 1-inch balls.
2. Place cookie dough balls into sections of mini-muffin pan.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 min or until golden brown around the edges.
4. While pan is still hot, place a peanut butter cup into the center of each cookie. (or use a Hershey Kiss)
5. Top with M&Ms (and/or Marshmallows)
6. Cool Slightly in the pan and remove to cooling wrack.

Do you have any favorite recipes that make YOU look real smart in the kitchen?