And Behind the Curtain Dessert Challenge!
Once again, the fine folks of Southside Christian Church have served as worthy taste testers for my latest recipe. Β In this case, I placed a couple of plastic containers full of these little gems in the narthex. Β I share my concoctions there for 2 reasons:
1. My S.O. and I don’t need the extra calories attached to our behinds.
2. The one thing I can count on with the fine folks of Southside Christian Church is a definite opinion!
By the time I finished my postlude and reached the narthex area, the plastic containers were completely void of content. Β When I asked for opinions, all I got was the sound of licked fingers and smacked lips. Β I took that as taste tester code for success.
So what are PB & J Caramel Chewies? Β Well, I started with the basic recipe that I use for my Christmas Wreaths and Easter Egg Nests, and added some pretzels.
Why pretzels?
I included them because the 2 ingredients for our Behind the Curtain Dessert Challenge this month are pretzels and caramel. So of course Chewies came to mind! Β I figured the pretzels would be just enough salt and crunch to complement the chewy peanut butter caramel. Β And I had been thinking about doing some kind of PB & J variation of them here lately anyway. Β But I didn’t want to put any ol’ jelly in the middle; I wanted a fresh strawberry jammy-like filling.
The next quandary was the shape. Β I wanted it to be small enough for a person to pop in their mouth in one bite; but it had to be a vessel that could house some of that beautiful ruby jeweled jam. Β When I tried to create the cups free-form on a cookie sheet, it was a slow process. Β Time is of the essence when it comes to making Chewies, because the mixture sets up rather quickly. Β So I grabbed a mini muffin pan, threw a hunk of the caramel mixture into each cup and gave it a quick dimple with the handle of my wooden spoon. Β It worked! Β After letting them set for about 30 minutes, I was able to fill each cup with the strawberries. Β The only thing left was to wait for the test results at church.
Hallelujah, they passed the test!
- ½ tablespoon cornstarch
- ¾ cup granulated sugar, divided
- 1 cup fresh or frozen (and thawed) diced strawberries
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup corn syrup
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups Special K cereal
- ½ cup pretzels sticks that have been broken into thirds
- In a medium saucepan, combine cornstarch and ¼ cup sugar. Add strawberries and lemon juice. Combine well. Bring mixture to a boil and cook a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Remove from heat and set aside to cool (mixture will thicken more as it cools).
- In another medium saucepan, heat remaining ½ cup sugar and corn syrup over medium high heat. Stir with a wooden spoon until mixture comes to a rolling boil. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter. Add cereal and pretzels and mix until well coated. Press by tablespoonfuls into the cups of a 24-cup nonstick mini muffin pan. Using the handle of the wooden spoon, make an indentation in the middle of each cup, being careful to not create a hole at the bottom. Let cool in the mini muffin pan for about a ½ hour until cups are firm. Then remove the cups from the pan and fill with strawberry jam. Serve immediately.
Watch video here:
Having troubles seeing the video? Β Watch it here: Β PB & J Caramel Chewies
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Mom always said it is nice to share!
Wow, I love your recipe and your video. New fan here. Following you on google+.
Thanks Reecea, I’m following you all over too!
Sherry these look SO good!! I love PB&J – I have to try these!! So much fun looking at all of the caramel & pretzel yumminess!!
xo,
Claire
Agreed, I think everyone outdid themselves this time!
I can see why these disappeared quickly! Perfectly delicious!
Thank you Liz. I am now following you all over the place!
Empty cartons and licking fingers are signs of fantastic success. Congratulations, Sherry.
PB & J are a favorite so I’m very appreciative you’ve incorporated them into this caramel and pretzel challenge =)
Thank you, I think everyone outdid themselves for this challenge!
Sounds like a great combination of flavors all in one convenient little bite!
Thank you Sandra, they’re pretty tasty!
Already the name made me look at it and … they look luvly!
Thank you Chris. They are pretty tasty. Thanks for stopping by!
OMGosh those looks so yummy! And your video is the best :).
Stopping by from Pin Me, following now on Google +. Thanks for the new recipe :).
Alexis from Running Away? I’ll Help You Pack!
Thank you so much Alexis. Following you as well!
Ooh, those look yummy! Thank you for sharing at our Pinteresting Party!
Thanks for hosting Lauren!
The texture of these cookies must be amazing all that crunch and chew… thanks for sharing them with use on foodie friday.
Thanks Diane, they really are quite the combination of flavors and textures.
These sound incredibly chewy and yummy. Thanks for the recipe!! Linda
Thanks for hosting, Linda!
Yumm!
Super to have you at Seasonal Sundays.
– The Tablescaper
Thank you!
Sure looks yummy! Just pinned this! Hopping from Life in Lakeshore Drive link up.
Thank you Eve, I am now following you on Google+ and Twitter!
What a yummy treat! Thanks for sharing at Church Supper. Have a blessed week & come back soon.
Thank you for hosting!
Sherry, wow, those look great.
Thanks for linking up at Swap N Share Sunday
pinned
Dawn
Thank you Dawn!
These look awesome! I host a ladies game night at my house once a month and I will have to try these. π Pinned it! I found you through the Church Supper link up. Thanks for sharing! Have a great week!
Hi Faith, your game night sounds like fun. I hope the ladies like my little treats!
These look crunchy and good. Thank you for the recipe.
Consider yourself hugged,
http://simpleesue.com/frivolous-friday-bacon-corn-pancakes/
Thanks Sue!
I love all of your recipes and this one is no exception! I think you have all of my favorites in the chewies and I think I can convince myself that these are healthy because of the Special K cereal!
Thanks for linking up to the In and Out of the Kitchen link party! I am so glad you dropped by!
Cynthia at http://FeedingBig.com
Hi Cynthia, I totally agree about having a bunch of favorites in one little bite. And I, too, try to convince myself that they are healthy, ha!
I love these, Sherry! Thanks for sharing with Simple Supper Tuesday.
Thank YOU for hosting, Cindy!
Love this recipe, Sherry! Shared on Google+ today π Thank you for sharing at our ALL MY BLOGGY FRIENDS party !
Thank you for sharing, Linda. And congrats on all your features here lately. You recipes look amazing!
You took two of my favorite seasonal treats and combined them! I will definitely have to try this.
Thanks Victoria, I love that combination too!
Thank you so much for sharing on Show Me Your Plaid Monday’s! These look so very tasty!
Thank YOU for hosting, Chandra!
Yummy!!!
Thank you for hosting, Diana!
and from the Busy Bee’s too!
They look delicious! I’m sure I would be short of words and licking my fingers, too! Thank you for linking up at SHOW-licious Craft Showcase! I hope you come back this weekend for another fun party!
http://sew-licious.blogspot.com
Marti
Thank YOU for hosting, Marti!
YUMMY! These look so delicious. Thank you so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent this week. Have a wonderful weekend. π
Hugs
Kathy
Thank YOU for hosting, Kathy!
Hope you are having a great weekend and thank you so much for sharing this awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday.
Hope to see you soon!
Miz Helen
Thank YOU for hosting, Miz Helen!
Oh yum…. this must be so tasty! Thanks for coming to (link) party with me… Come and share again today at Super Saturday http://www.whatscookingwithruthie.com π Have a wonderful day. xoxo~ Ruthie
Thank YOU for hosting, Ruthie!
what a great combo! Love all the flavors. Pinned this! Thanks for sharing these on Two Cup Tuesday at Pint Sized Baker I hope to see ya again on Monday night!
Thank YOU for hosting, Karyn!
Great recipe!! Featuring you on my blog and Facebook!
Xo
Bless you for featuring my recipe! And thanks so much for the hard work that you do in hosting each week.
These look SO good! and beautiful, too! π Thanks for linking up with “Try a New Recipe Tuesday!” I hope you will be able to join us again this week. π
Thank YOU for hosting Lisa!
Thank you for linking up with us! Have a wonderful day
Joye & Myrna
The Busy Bee’s
Thanks for hosting!
Hi Sherry!
Boy do these look good! Pinned and I will be using them in my no bake post! Thanks for sharing them with me in the OBC Facebook Group!
Thanks so much for sharing my recipe Julie. I appreciate your asking for our contributions! I will be sure to share the post on my FB page.
Thanks for coming to Saturday Dishes.
Linda @ Tumbleweed Contessa