This Holiday, Create Homemade Versions of Classic Candies

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

(Family Features) For the perfect homemade gift and a wonderful addition to any dessert table, fill your holidays with sweets that mimic popular, beloved candies.

Whether you need an easy-to-make confection for a cookie exchange or an upcoming family gathering, these delicious goodies replicate famous favorites with a homemade touch. Simple enough to make in your own kitchen, these copycat versions of beloved candies are already a big hit at bakeries and chocolatiers everywhere.

The season’s hottest culinary creations
If you need help sparking creativity for what to prepare for your holiday guests this year, check out Betty Crocker’s Red Hot Holiday Trends. This list includes everything to keep your season fresh and fun, from tart cocktails that feature cherry preserves to DIY cookie trees you can make with the kids.

Betty’s holiday helpers
Santa has elves, you have Betty. Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, we could all use a little help when it comes to creating holiday meals. The experts at Betty Crocker are on standby to answer your most urgent kitchen questions in real time. How to brine, when to baste – Betty knows it all! Submit your questions online, on Facebook or Twitter, and they’ll respond to your question within 30 minutes. They’re available for you from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, Nov. 25-27 and Dec. 20-23.

To check out all of the Red Hot Holiday Trends and for more information on Betty’s Holiday Helpline, plus other great recipe ideas, visit www.BettyCrocker.com/redhot.

Copycat candy
Whip up a batch of these decadent Peanut Butter Cup Brownies, a dead-ringer for everyone’s favorite chocolate peanut butter cup. Also featured in Betty Crocker’s Red Hot Holiday Trends, these brownies feature gooey fudge and rich peanut butter, and are poised to be the hit of the holiday baking season.

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

Ingredients

Brownie Mixture

• 1 box  fudge brownie mix
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened baking cocoa
• 2/3 cup butter, melted
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 egg

Cookie Filling

• 1 pouch peanut butter cookie mix
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

Topping

• 1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips, melted, cooled

Preparation

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Cut about 1/2 inch off around top of each of 48 regular-size foil baking cups. Place cup in each of 48 regular-size muffin cups.
2. In large bowl, stir together brownie mixture ingredients until well blended. In another large bowl, stir together cookie filling ingredients until dough forms. Spoon and spread 1 measuring teaspoon brownie mixture evenly into bottom of each foil cup. Shape 1 measuring teaspoon cookie filling into a ball; flatten into 1-inch circle. Place on top of brownie mixture in each foil cup. Spoon and spread 1 measuring teaspoon brownie mixture over cookie filling in each cup.
3. Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until toothpick inserted into edge comes out clean. Spoon generous teaspoon melted chocolate on top of each, spreading chocolate to edge of foil cup. Remove cups from pan. Refrigerate 30 minutes to set chocolate.

Serves
Servings: 48

Notes, Tips & Suggestions
These little treats can be made ahead, placed in resealable freezer plastic bags, and stored in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.

These easy bites are also great for any dessert platter or cookie exchange and are especially nice as a gift. Layer them in a decorative tin with colored tissue paper, then include the recipe.

Preparation Time:
1 Hour 30 Minutes

Start to Finish Time:
2 Hours

SOURCE:
Betty Crocker