Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Ritz Cracker Treats

In this episode of In The Kitchen With Matt, I will show you how to make super easy chocolate-covered peanut butter Ritz Crackers treats. If you are a fan of peanut butter cups of Ritz crackers you will love these! They are a perfect treat for the holidays as well.

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Follow the easy steps below or watch the short video tutorial or do both.

Ingredients

• About 2 cups of chocolate (chocolate chips, chocolate bars, candy melts, almond bark, etc.) 340g.
• 30 to 40 Ritz crackers, you need two crackers per treat
• About 2/3 cup of creamy peanut butter, you use about 1 tsp per treat (165g)
• Optional - 1 to 2 tsp of vegetable shortening (makes the chocolate thinner) 5 to 10g
• Optional Toppings - nuts, sprinkles, etc.

*NOTE - this isn't baking, the ingredients don't need to be exact. If you need more of one of the ingredients use it.

Tools

• Pot of water (if doing double boiler method)
• Bowl (pyrex or metal for double boiler or microwave safe for the microwave)
• Spoon
• Cake spatula or butter knife
• Parchment paper or wax paper
• Sheet pan or cookie sheet
• Optional - Piping bag to make the drizzled design of chocolate on top

Lay out the bottom layer of Ritz crackers on a sheet pan or cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, silicone baking mat, or wax paper.

Then use a small cake spatula or butter knife and add about a teaspoon or so of peanut butter to the middle of each cracker.

Place another cracker on top and gently press down. Don't press down too hard or the top cracker will crack. If it does crack, don't worry about it too much, it will get covered in chocolate and stay together just fine.

Time to melt the chocolate. Use your favorite chocolate or a combination of chocolate. I like to combine classic candy melts or almond bark with real chocolate. You get a nice flavor and you don't need to temper the chocolate, so perfect for dessert tables or Christmas/Holiday boxes.

You can melt the chocolate in a few ways:

Method 1: Microwave - Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high for 25 to 30 seconds. Then give it a stir with a spoon. Put it back in the microwave and heat it again for 25 to 30 seconds. Then give it a stir. Repeat until the chocolate is completely melted.

Method 2: Double-Boiler Method - Put about 1 inch of water in the pot and set the pot on the burner with the heat set to medium. Place the chocolate in a pyrex or metal bowl that is larger than a small sauce pot. Then set it on top of the pot. As the water heats the steam will hit the bottom of the bowl gently heating the bowl up and also gently melting the chocolate. Make sure to stir during this process Less chance of scorching the chocolate this way.

TIP: Add a teaspoon or two of vegetable shortening as the chocolate melts. This will make it thinner and easier for dipping.

NOTE: I don't recommend just melting the chocolate in the sauce pot as is, it is way too easy to scorch it. Which will ruin it.

Now take the little peanut butter Ritz "sandwiches" and place them in the chocolate. Use a spoon or fork to cover them completely then raise them up out of the chocolate. Tap the fork a few times to allow excess chocolate to fall off.

Then place them on the sheet pan or cookie sheet.

At this time before the chocolate sets, you can add crushed nuts, sprinkles, coconut flakes, etc.

Place in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes. Then you can drizzle on melted chocolate using a piping bag or sandwich bag with the corner snipper. This gives it a classy look.

Place back in the fridge and let set for another 5 to 10 minutes. You only need to do this if you added the drizzles of chocolate otherwise you can just eat them after you chill them the first time.

Serve them up! They make a great gift for the holidays, like in/on a Christmas goodie box or plate, for a dessert table, or just for you and your family.

Enjoy!

Print the chocolate covered peanut butter ritz cracker recipe here if desired.

Now watch those steps in action with this video tutorial. :)