Last night, I made babies.
Lots of babies.
Lots and lots of yummy babies.
Lots and lots of these: Chocolate Peanut Butter Babies.
Initially, the chocolate balls were to be a Christmas present for a friend on a gluten-free diet. But then I got on a baby-making roll; now all my friends are getting chocolate peanut butter babies for Christmas!
Wah wah wah.
To add color and variety, I also made a few batches of these:
Nut-free: Girl-Scout Cookie Truffles.
If you’re looking for a last-minute gift idea, these truffles are awesome: they ship well, and they’re a cinch to make!
Question of the Day:
What gifts are you giving your friends this year?
Do you have your holiday shopping done? Last week, my roommate and I went to the mall in an attempt to find Christmas presents for all our friends. But every store seemed to be selling the exact same things. How many bottles of hand sanitizer or body lotion does a person need?
So I gave up and decided to make gifts this year. (My roommate also gave up at the mall, opting to do her shopping online. Amazon.com is dangerous; you could spend a fortune on there!)
Ali @ Peaches and Football says
Truffles are so popular this time of year and I’ve never made any before. I finally got all my shopping done, just haven’t started wrapping yet. But I love to wrap, so that’ll be fun some evening. We have a wonderful local chocolate shop so some friends are getting chocolate. Figured I couldn’t go wrong with that! 😉
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
Mmm truffles are all over my Google Reader today. Can’t go wrong with chocolate and pb!
Kristine @ Busy But Healthy says
Now that most of my friends and I have kidlets, we just buy gifts for them. Instead, we do a girls xmas dinner! 😉
Anna @ The Guiltless Life says
I love your photography ideas, the dishes always look so colourful, imaginative and totally come to life!
Truffle balls make such a great gift, I just posted some vegan Lindt-imitation truffles last Friday. My mouth is still watering over them. Yum!
Sarah the official CCK drooler says
So cool- i just came to check CCK in the middle of our baking homemade gifts marathon. Right now we are making chocolate peppermint sandwich cookies. Sinful. and later some chocolate bark. Totally your chocolate heaven 🙂 Have a great day!
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says
I believe I’ll be making THESE as a gift. I also have chocolate peppermint ones to make too! DELICIOUS!
Megan says
‘Tis the time for truffles! I made some the other day on a whim. There was a recipe on the side of my chocolate mint Silk soy milk and I thought- why not? They would definitely meet your chocolate standards. Chocolate mint silk, peppermint extract, lots of bittersweet chocolate, and a touch of earth balance. They are a beautifully rich, deep chocolate. I bet they would be good as a peanut butter version too (sans mint)!
katia says
on my ‘to make’ list are Larabars and these babies 😀 can’t wait til i have an excuse to make them. I’m getting my best friend Powdered peanutbutter, and powdered chocolate peanutbutter. She loves peanutbutter, but can’t enjoy it thinking of the calorie-loaded spoonfuls. These have much less than half the calories and fat 😀 perfect!
Lisa Broadley says
Yes Amazon.com is VERY dangerous…especially since I just found out that they’ll also ship to Canada (they weren’t before, I believe). Like other people, I’m making little treats to go along with the gifts.
Nicole K. says
I make all of my Christmas gifts – I’m not a big fan of shopping for gifts. So, this year I made my mother some hot chocolate mixes and Bailey Irish Creme filled chocolates. My father is getting a homemade dessert coupon book (he is ALWAYS asking me to make him little treats, so I figured coupons would be a perfect fit!) And, last but not least, my brother is getting a gluten free beer making guide (he’s started brewing his own beer and wants to make some that I can have!)
Rebecca @ Naturally Healthy and Gorgeous says
Those look great and healthy, too!
saskia says
oooh:))) i really need a blender that can make these happen..!!
i also mostly give food..i’m gonna bake a whole lot of these protein-choc.chip cookies right now: http://girlinasong.wordpress.com/
additionally, i’ll give some “treats in a jar”..means muffins, cookies etc. in jars..(just the dry ingredients..looks so cute and is yummilicious!!:)
xoxo,
s.
Kelly @ Foodie Fiasco says
I think I am going to have to make a batch of EVERYTHING. Just got a bag of dates!
Rebecka says
Oh Katie… You sure know how to make a girl drool 😉
I’m sitting here with my mind-melting 35-page essay trying to legitimize spending the evening devouring those peanut babies by the hundreds. Luckily (for my grades, that is) I don’t have any dates around. Or rasins, or other dried fruit aside figs, and i’ve already had too many of those today… So ms. sweet tooth will have to rest until tomorrow..
And to answer your question: none. I’m not celebrating christmas with presents this year, the whole consumerism thing just makes me nauseous. I might hand out a few books i already own and enjoyed reading, but aside from that I’m trying to step back from the whole buy-toss-buy-toss way of life..
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
That’s really awesome, Rebecka… and it’s so true that people (me included) tend to go crazy with gifts. My family has scaled way back these past few years, especially with the frivolous stuff. Still, I know there’s room for improvement with how much I buy. People like you–and your self-restraint–really are inspiring to me.
P.S. A 35-page essay pretty much sounds like the worst thing in the world! Hope you’re taking lots of chocolate study breaks! 😉
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
I love making gifts! I’m making cookies in a jar for people, so they can take them home and bake their own cookies!
Ellen says
I have made gingerbread so far for a friend, and plan on making one of my family’s traditional cookies-an Italian Sprinkle Cookie, today. Funny that it is a family tradition-we are not in the least Italian!
Lucy says
The only problem is not eating the gifts :)|
Justin says
Last year I was shopping at the mall with a friend at Christmas eve. This year I did all my shopping on amazon. 🙂
Rechy says
sorry to sound dumb, but where is the recipe?
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Hi Rechy,
Here’s the recipe: https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2009/10/30/peanut-butter-babies/
Rechy says
Thanks SOOO much.
everything i’ve ever tried from you is absolutely DELICIOUS.
you really do have a knack for texture and density and putting it together to be just right!!
Thank you for an awesome blog.
Kimberly says
Those look delicious! Anything Girl Scout cookie is bound to be amazing 🙂
I made honey roasted peanut butter (and an almond butter variety that was a fail — I still have it and it needs some work, any suggestions??? I added a little vanilla and cinnamon, and I did not toast them– I think that us where I failed.) and my hubby’s cousin made home-made ruhbarb & apple jam- so I gave PB&J for Christmas in little mason jars 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Hmmm… I’ve never actually made almond butter from scratch, so I can’t really offer any suggestions :-?. Just keep playing around with it, adding more ingredients and tasting as you go along! 🙂
Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather says
Homemade treats are the best! I’d totally be down getting some of these… just saying 🙂
jo @ including cake says
yes smooshed up truffle nut balls are definitely the way to go. what will i be making?….well these went down an absolute treat last week- thought they might make you smile! http://www.includingcake.com/2011/12/twelve-days-day-10-sugar-cookies.html
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
What gifts are you giving your friends this year? = None
My friends, family, and every.single.person in my life and I have all agreed that we are going giftless this year. With many of my friends out of work or having two kids or three kids to feed and spouses without jobs or homes in short sales and foreclosure, the thought of them giving me a gift would be gut-wrenching. Not to mention with family, we are ‘all adults here’ and realize there is nothing any of us really ‘needs’…if I lived closer, I’d bake for them. But everyone has told me, don’t send me any gifts! So hey, that’s easy…I won’t 🙂
But I wouldnt mind one of your truffles right about now!
Sarah says
Hi Katie, I’ve been reading your blog for a while but this is the first time I’ve commented. I love your recipes. I just made hot cocoa fudge babies after reading this post (with hazelnuts, yummmmm). Cut it into pieces like fudge and took it to my Dad to try (without telling him what it was ;)) he couldn’t believe there was no sugar or anything except hazelnut, dates and cocoa! Keep up the awesome work and have a lovely Christmas.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Aww hey Sarah!! I love your hazelnut idea… it sounds like Nutella fudge babies. I need ot find some hazelnuts! 🙂
Kit-Kat says
Well, Me and my family are making holiday gift baskets (small little felt baggies) filled with little dollar-plus toys and stuff, a candy cane, and some home-made cookies (with recipe cards). And yes, I’m pretty much done with my Christmas shopping! I just am contimplating wether to get my boyfriend one more gift…. he’s hinted that he really likes the Mumford and Sons C.D. 😉
Ann Claire says
Yum! I love making homemade gifts, espicially when they involve food!
By the way, I love all your photos of your food. Ever post I read I’m just like “wow, Katie takes great pictures.”
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Aww girl, that means so much to me! I really love photography… maybe even more than thinking up the recipes :).
Emily @ Glitz Glam Granola says
Ohh I think your friends are very lucky to be getting those truffles from you!! They look delicious! I sadly, have not finished my Christmas shopping yet! I’d say I’m at least half done but the ones remaining are the hard ones! But I’m trying not to stress about it this year and focus on the important things instead… it will get done!
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
Yum! All my friends are getting treats for gifts this year 🙂
Kristen-vanillabeanvegan says
I am making cookies & ornaments this year to give to friends this year. The cookies look awesome. I agree that amazon can be dagerous for anyones spending. I always spend way too much on there as well. I am about done shopping, just have to do some wrapping. So much to do, I cant believe it is almost christmas!! Happy Holidays to everyone!!
Heather @ Run Eat Play says
Those truffles look amazing. I love truffles but have never made them.
I have most of my shopping done – just a couple last minute gifts to pick up. I can’t believe that Christmas is this weekend!
Jessica says
Surely you have posted about this before, but I like to melt some dark chocolate to dip the truffles in. Gives them a nice crunchy contrast to the creamy truffley-ness inside! Mmmm. Trader Joe’s sells the best unsweetened cocoa mass discs for melting. Mmmm. Oh wait, I already said that. 🙂
Melissa @ My Mango Has Roots says
Holy hell, Katie – I bought dates when I saw your gingerbread man in a photo a few weeks back but never bit into them. The stars aligned when Mike yelled from the kitchen, “What’s with all the dates? Are you going to eat all of these?” and then your facebook post showed up. I saw it had three ingredients and figured it was worth a shot – but how could it possibly taste like cookie dough? And magically, it does. Insane.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
LOL
I always buy dates in bulk when they’re on sale. Then I second guess myself, wondering if I’ll be able to use them. But somehow, they always get used! 🙂
Melissa @ My Mango Has Roots says
That’s a good idea- I probably spent $12 on two small packages; I had no idea what they should cost. I think he liked the peanut butter truffles though, I can’t seem to find half of them….
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I find the SunMaid ones for only $2 (when on sale) per package, and I actually like them better anyway… or rather, my blender likes them better because they’re softer ;).
Kaitlyn@TheTieDyeFIles says
I’m an Amazon shopper all the way! And I’m making chocolatey cookies tonight for a vegetarian friend, a third (and hopefully final) recipe test!
JGodbolt says
They look awesome, Email me the recipe so I can make them for Christmas!!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Here is the recipe: https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2009/10/30/peanut-butter-babies/
Kayleigh says
as always, katie, you are a rockstar. a chocolate-covered star the size of Mars.
thank you for posting! you’ve inspired my primal baking senses awake, and my apron(s) to get dirty. maybe someday we can collaborate on a recipe — I’ve recently made a grain-free, sugar free, chocolately cookie that can be made into linzer shapes and (probably) spread with some kind of jam. i’m thinking marmalade, or home-made vegan COCOA-HAZELNUT SPREAD 😉
Brooke says
I just found your blog last week and I’m SO glad I did! I’ve already made probably 6 or 7 of your recipes and every single one has been delicious. I even got my boyfriend to try them (despite their being vegan) and he agrees! Have you ever thought about making a vegan version of Nutella? Nutella dip, pancakes, shakes, cookies… it’d be a dream! Keep up the great work! 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I definitely want to try making homemade Nutella! It’s on my to-do list… and then I can make nutella cookies! 🙂
Kendra says
I’m actually making coconut butter for my friends. Ive been talking about using it so much, they want to try it too!
Katie @ ohshineon.wordpress.com/ says
These are really cute! For my friends, I made them each individual batches of holiday chocolate bark… because really, who doesn’t love chocolate as a gift? I had a lot of fun and each recipe came out SO delicious!
You can check them out here: {http://ohshineon.com/2011/12/15/christmas-time-in-little-grey/}
Happy Holidays, Katie!
LizAshlee says
I love baby making…especially the chocolate nutty kind 🙂
Happy Holidays!!!
Becca R. says
Katie, I would be so bored during Christmas break if I hadn’t found your blog. My mom (half-jokingly) told me the other day that she would take my computer away if I didn’t stop looking at recipes. Since the beginning of this month I’ve made the chocolate bar pie (for my small group; I commented on the post about that experience), the mint chocolate chip milkshake (twice….in the past week. I love it), the melted-banana-in-the-oatmeal trick, and most recently, the raw chocolate chip cookie dough babies. Oh, and I used your apple pancake recipe to make waffles.
Anyways, let me tell you about the babies. 🙂 I’d seen the posts before and the dates just threw me off, so I didn’t want to try them. Plus, dates aren’t something we keep in the pantry (unless we’re talking about dates of the male variety; in that case, we can hardly get the doors closed (: ). My mom (I’m 19. I mention my mom a lot and sound like a tween, but I’m not. haha. I just love her.) was taking a lonnnnng time at the grocery store so I just wandered over to the dried fruit aisle….you get the idea. Made them last night. I ate those babies like the world was ending. So.Addicting. My little sister (17 years old) liked them, too (she likes healthy stuff like me).
Anyways, I just wanted to tell you that I love your recipes and although I don’t think I could ever be a true vegan, I’ve been eating like one because of you. haha. Have a great day, sweetheart!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Awww Becca, thank you SO much for such a sweet comment!
I hope you have a wonderful holiday season… you just made mine so bright!
Kathleen @ KatsHealthCorner says
YAY for truffles! I especially love that there is PEANUT BUTTAH! <3