Ingredients:
– 1 cup creamy peanut butter
– ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
– 2 tablespoons brown sugar
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– ¼ teaspoon salt
– 2 cups powdered sugar
– 10-12 oz. chocolate chips or chocolate chopped in small pieces (semi-sweet and milk chocolate mix)
Directions:
Step 1: Line an 8 x 8-inch dish with parchment paper, leaving the paper to overhang the sides for easy lifting later. Set aside.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl, stir together peanut butter, melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt until the sugar dissolves. Gradually mix in powdered sugar.
Step 3: Press the mixture into the prepared dish, smoothing the top with a spatula or pressing it with palms to flatten into about a ½ inch thick layer.
Step 4: Place in the freezer until firm enough for cutting.
Step 5: Once firm, line a tray with parchment paper and set aside.
Step 6: Use a Christmas tree cookie cutter to cut out the trees and place them on the tray. Freeze for 45-60 minutes until completely firm.
Step 7: Melt the chocolate and line another tray with parchment paper.
Step 8: Using a fork, dip each tree into melted chocolate to cover completely. Gently tap the fork to drip off the excess chocolate. (Work with a few trees at a time from the freezer, as the peanut butter mixture softens quickly at room temperature.) Place chocolate-covered Christmas trees on the parchment paper-lined tray. Refrigerate until the chocolate has set.
Step 9: Store in the fridge or freeze for longer storage.
Step 10: The size of the cookie cutter will determine the quantity. Use all of the peanut butter mixture, flattening it to create more trees.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Freezing Time: 2 hours | Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: Depends on the size of the cookie cutter