Chocolate and Peanut Butter Crescents

Chocolate Peanut Butter Crescent Recipe from USA with All-Natural Ingredients

Region / culture: USA | Preparation time: 30 minutes | Cooking time: 15 minutes | Servings: 24

Introduction

Indulge in the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter with these delicious crescent cookies. The rich cocoa dough is filled with a creamy peanut butter mixture, creating a decadent treat that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

History

The combination of chocolate and peanut butter has been a beloved flavor pairing for decades. These crescent cookies take this classic combination to the next level with their buttery, chocolatey dough and sweet peanut butter filling. Whether enjoyed as a snack or dessert, these cookies are sure to be a hit with family and friends.

Ingredients

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
0.33 cup unsweetened cocoa
0.25 tsp salt
0.25 lb (113 g) (1 stick) butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
0.75 cup granulated sugar
1 egg

Filling

0.75 cup smooth (not chunky) peanut butter
0.5 cup strained or sifted confectioner's sugar

How to prepare

Sift together the flour, cocoa, and salt and set aside.
In the large bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter.
Beat in the vanilla and sugar.
Add the egg and beat until thoroughly mixed.
On low speed, gradually add the sifted dry ingredients, scraping the bowl with a rubber spatula and beating until the mixture holds together.
Transfer the dough to a small bowl for ease in handling and set aside at room temperature.

Filling

In a small bowl, thoroughly mix the peanut butter and the sugar.

Assembly

Adjust the rack to the center of the oven and preheat to 325°F (163°C).
To shape the cookies: on a large piece of wax paper, place the cookie dough in mounds, using a slightly rounded teaspoon (no more) of the dough for each mound - in order not to make them too large, it's best to measure with a measuring spoon.
Do maybe a quarter of the dough at a time.
Then do the same with the filling, using a level 0.5 measuring teaspoon for each mound.
Place on other pieces of waxed paper.
Pick up one mound of the dough, roll it between your hands into a ball, and flatten it between your palms until it is very thin.
Then, with a small metal spatula or a table knife, lift up and place one mound of the filling in the center of the flattened dough.
With your fingers, bring the dough around the filling and pinch the edges to seal.
Roll the filled dough between your hands into a cylindrical shape about 2 inches long with very slightly tapered ends.
Place the cookie on an unbuttered cookie sheet and as you do, turn the ends down slightly to form a short fat crescent.
Continue shaping the cookies and placing them 0.5 to 1 inch apart - these do not spread.
Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until the cookies are firm to the touch.
Reverse the cookie sheet front to back once to ensure even baking, and roll the cookies in the sugar as they come out of the oven.

Variations

For a twist on the classic recipe, try adding a sprinkle of sea salt on top of the cookies before baking.
You can also experiment with different types of nut butter, such as almond or cashew, for a unique flavor profile.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to use smooth peanut butter for the filling to ensure a creamy texture.

- When shaping the cookies, make sure to seal the edges well to prevent the filling from leaking out during baking.

- Rolling the cookies in sugar after baking adds a sweet finishing touch and a bit of extra crunch.

Serving Suggestions

These chocolate and peanut butter crescents are perfect for serving at parties, gatherings, or as a special treat for yourself. Pair them with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee for a delightful snack.

Cooking Techniques

The key to making these crescent cookies is to carefully shape the dough around the peanut butter filling to create the signature crescent shape. Take your time and ensure that the edges are well sealed to prevent any filling from leaking out during baking.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you prefer a sweeter filling, you can use a combination of peanut butter and powdered sugar instead of just confectioner's sugar. You can also use almond flour or gluten-free flour as a substitute for all-purpose flour for a gluten-free version of these cookies.

Make Ahead Tips

These cookies can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the unbaked cookies and bake them as needed for a fresh batch of warm, gooey crescents.

Presentation Ideas

Arrange these crescent cookies on a decorative platter or serving tray for a beautiful presentation. Dust them with powdered sugar or cocoa powder for an elegant finishing touch.

Pairing Recommendations

These chocolate and peanut butter crescents pair well with a variety of beverages, such as coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. They also make a delicious accompaniment to a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place the cookies in a preheated oven at 350°F for a few minutes until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of these chocolate and peanut butter crescents contains approximately 180 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of these chocolate and peanut butter crescents contains approximately 15 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

These crescent cookies are rich in fats, with each serving containing approximately 10 grams of fat.

Proteins

Each serving of these cookies provides around 4 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

These cookies do not provide significant amounts of essential vitamins and minerals.

Alergens

These cookies contain wheat, eggs, and peanuts. They may not be suitable for those with allergies to these ingredients.

Summary

These crescent cookies are a delicious treat that is relatively high in calories and fats. Enjoy them in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Summary

These chocolate and peanut butter crescents are a delightful treat that combines the rich flavors of cocoa and peanut butter in a buttery, flaky dough. Whether enjoyed as a snack or dessert, these crescent cookies are sure to be a hit with chocolate and peanut butter lovers alike.

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the sense of anticipation I felt when I first discovered this recipe for Chocolate and Peanut Butter Crescents. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl learning the art of cooking from my own grandmother.

My grandmother was a wonderful cook, and she passed down many recipes to me over the years. But this particular recipe for Chocolate and Peanut Butter Crescents was something special. I remember the first time I tasted one - the rich, creamy peanut butter filling wrapped in a flaky crescent roll, with a drizzle of melted chocolate on top. It was heaven in every bite.

I asked my grandmother where she had learned to make such a delicious treat, and she told me a story that has stayed with me ever since.

She said that she had learned the recipe from a dear friend many years ago. This friend had traveled to a small village in the mountains of Switzerland, where she had met a local baker who was known for his incredible pastries. One day, the baker had shared his recipe for Chocolate and Peanut Butter Crescents with her, and she had passed it on to my grandmother.

My grandmother had made a few adjustments to the recipe over the years, adding her own special touch to make it even more delicious. And now, she was passing it on to me.

I remember standing in my grandmother's kitchen, watching her as she mixed the peanut butter filling and carefully wrapped it in the crescent rolls. The smell of chocolate wafted through the air as she melted it in a double boiler, ready to drizzle over the finished pastries.

As I helped her with the final touches, I couldn't wait to taste the finished product. When they came out of the oven, golden brown and flaky, I knew they would be just as delicious as I had remembered.

I took a bite of the warm crescent, savoring the creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate. It was everything I had hoped for and more. I knew that this recipe would become a staple in my own kitchen, just as it had been in my grandmother's for so many years.

Over the years, I have made these Chocolate and Peanut Butter Crescents for my own family and friends, sharing the story of how I learned to make them with each new person I introduced to the recipe. And every time I take a bite of one of these delicious pastries, I am transported back to that moment in my grandmother's kitchen, learning the secret to making something truly special.

I am grateful to my grandmother for passing down this recipe to me, and for instilling in me a love of cooking that has enriched my life in so many ways. And I know that as long as I have this recipe in my arsenal, I will always be able to bring a little taste of Switzerland into my own home.