It is the season to be merry and share a lot of mouthwatering goodies and I am no exception! “Christmas” being the theme this time for the bimonthly share of our gourmet Face Book group “Healthy Wellthy Cuisines”, as suggested by my food blogger friend Archana who blogs at her amazing food blog “The Mad Scientist’s Kitchen” with simple yet interesting recipes, I had to come up with something delicious, easy to make and fun to eat! Having just traveled and in the midst of cleaning and setting the house again, I had to make something fun, easy and at the same time scrumptious keeping the holiday season in mind. On our flight this time, I had packed some Ritz peanut butter sandwich crackers (available in stores in the US in the snacks section) to tide us over during those hunger pangs at stop overs. These are just some delectable cookies with creamy peanut butter sandwiched between two salty, buttery and crispy crackers!
Although I had packed quite a bit, these were so decadent and delicious with those crispy salty crackers and peanut buttery flavor, that they were gone in no time! Ritz crackers which are the crackers available in USA remind me of our humble yet with an unbeatable taste cracker, Monaco biscuits in India. If my followers remember, I have used these Ritz crackers in a dessert too – Lime Cracker No-Cook Pudding! So, my share was going to be these peanut butter sandwiched Monaco crackers/biscuits. Now, I could not leave it alone. I had to add my Christmassy touch to it.
The chocolate fiend in me could not resist enveloping all of them in a decadent coating of dark chocolate; you could use white or even milk chocolate. And to give it a festive, Christmassy look, once the sandwiched crackers were ready and coated in some melted chocolate, before they set, I showered them with colorful sprinkles which had the festive colors of Christmas, green and red! This step is optional but hey! It is Christmas and you definitely need those colors that represent the festive season!
Don’t these look pretty? So, all you need are 3 ingredients - crackers, peanut butter and chocolate. Just sandwich peanut butter (or Nutella if you prefer) in between two crackers, dip and coat in melted chocolate, top with colored sprinkles and wait for this gorgeousness to set. You can use any kind of crackers (or biscuits as we call in India); it could be Monaco, Krackjack, 50-50 or if you can find, Ritz crackers! These are so easy to make even your kids can help you make these! I have used my favorite brand of peanut butter, you can use yours; creamy or crunchy, natural; your choice. Not a fan of peanut butter? Substitute with some creamy, scrumptious Nutella instead!
TIPS TO MAKE THESE NO-BAKE “COOKIES”:
Both Ritz and Monaco crackers are very delicate and easy to break, so do take care when slathering them with peanut butter or Nutella! It helps if the filling is slightly soft and spreadable; you could microwave for a few seconds if you like. Once one cracker has been topped with the filling, gently place another cracker on top and gently (ever so!) press both to sandwich them properly, lest they separate.
Now, it is time to envelope them with a decadent, smooth and creamy chocolate. I have used dark chocolate (Morde brand or any candy coating or almond bark will do too); just melt in a microwave or double boiler until completely melted, smooth and shiny. Dip each filled cracker sandwich in the melted chocolate and place gently on parchment paper lined baking sheet. A fork is of great help with this step.
Now comes the part when you have to sprinkle the colored sprinkles on top before the chocolate sets. Once set, they will not stick to the cookie. So as soon as you coat with melted chocolate and place on the baking sheet to set, drop the sprinkles on top.
Try and coat 2 sandwich cookies at a time and sprinkle the toppings before moving on to the other cracker sandwiches. It is easy for the toppings to stick to the chocolate before it sets. Once all of them have been coated with chocolate and toppings, allow to set at room temperature; about 10 to 15 minutes.
Slide off the parchment paper and enjoy!
Once you make these, your family is going to ask for more!! My husband thought I had slaved over these “cookies” all morning when he was away at office; little does he know how easy it is to make these! Store in airtight containers at room temperature in winters; a great holiday cookie tin contender, but in summers, it is better to store in the fridge!
Here are some more festive cookies you can make this holiday season:
Homemade Digestive Biscuits Dark Double Chocolate Chip Cookies (with M&Ms) Chocolate Afghan Cookies
If you do try this recipe, do not forget to rate the recipe in the comment box below. You can also tag me on Instagram or Facebook. Happy Holidays and Enjoy!
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I am sharing this with our gourmet Facebook group “Healthy Wellthy Cuisine” where the theme this time is “Christmas Time”! You must check out these other goodies shared by my friends too and make them all this holiday season:
24 Monaco (or Ritz) crackers ¼ cup or as needed peanut butter (creamy or crunchy) Or ¼ cup Nutella 200 gm dark chocolate (I have used Morde compound chocolate) Colored sugar sprinkles (optional)
Instructions Notes Take care when handling the crackers; they are delicate, buttery and tend to break easily. You can use any kind of cracker/biscuit; it could be Monaco, Ritz, KrackJack, 50-50 or any other you like! Use any kind of chocolate you like; white, dark or milk but make sure you use the kind of chocolate that sets easily and does not melt as soon as you touch. I prefer using compound Morde brand (in India) or any candy melt elsewhere.
Pecan Goji Berries Coconut Cookies by Shalu Popcorn Rocky Road Dessert by Archana Vegan Figgy Pudding by Poonam Swedish Lussekatt by Sasmita Eggless Sugar Cookies by Narmadha Hot Chocolate by Swaty
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