Chocolate and Peanut Butter Squares
My children are seriously allergic to tree nuts and peanuts.
They would have what is called anaphylactic reaction and even a smidgen of nut will have dire consequences unless immediate action is taken and we get them to the hospital...quick.
My son , who is now 9, tasted a cashew just before he was three and it literally almost killed him. That has been the only time a nut, in any form, has ever entered his body.
My daughter (6) had never tasted a nut or nut product until last year.
She accidentally tasted a tiny heart from her cousins Valentine candy "loot" and it wasn't pretty. She actually asked me first if it was ok...however I had just gotten burned pretty good while making a big batch of funnel cakes for the kids at the get together we were at and was totally distracted.
I didn't pay attention to what she was asking...she being 5 took that as a yes, 2 seconds later she cried out "Mommy, I think I am eating nuts". Man was it crazy and did I ever feel like the worst Mommy ever!
My kids also happen to be severely allergic to all shellfish.
We have taught our children to respect everyone around them and what they eat.
We have taught them to be cautious.
We have educated them to be careful.
We have told ourselves and them...no matter how careful we all are...it will happen again...that is what the doctors all say - just be prepared for it and pray it will turn out ok.
With all of the above being said. I still do make things with nuts occasionally (like my signature Cranberry pie as well as lettuce wraps and sugared nuts)and my husband and I are seafood-aholics.
Lucky for us (and them), our children's allergies are not airborne.
These tasty 4 Ingredient Chocolate and Peanut Butter Squares are just perfect for you or you and your kids to whip up as a Valentines Day surprise for someone, or many someones, you love!
The chocolate is great and the protein in the peanut butter is not to bad either!
They are not to sweet and they really satisfy.
My niece who is 6 (and my sister) gave them 2 thumbs up...they were the recipients of the cute sparkly red box full I had made.
Chocolate and Peanut Butter Squares
1 pound white chocolate
1 cup peanut butter
1 ½ cups chocolate chips or 12 ounces of chocolate
½ cup heavy cream
*I happen to have a silicone "pan" with 24 squares in it - which I use when making this. In the past I have just used a 9x9 baking pan.
Line your pan with parchment or waxed paper, leaving an overhang. (you can also use foil however you will need to spray it with cooking spray).
Melt your white chocolate in your microwave for about a minute, stir until the chocolate is melted and creamy. Add in the peanut butter and stir until blended and smooth.
Spread mixture into your pan.
Refrigerate for 15 minutes or until a bit firm.
In a saucepan, combine your milk chocolate and your cream and heat over medium high heat until melted and smooth, stirring constantly. Pour/smooth over peanut butter mixture.
Chill for at least 3 hours or overnight. Later, lift out the candy and cut into small squares.
Feel free to "bedazzle" these Chocolate and Peanut Butter Squares for Valentines or any holiday. I made some with sprinkles, glitter gel, candies and silver dragees. Put some parchment paper in a pretty box, type up the recipe on a cute and there you have it...a gift better that the store to give.
You can also cut into shapes with a quality small cookie cutter.
Enjoy!
Colleen
Tracy says
I am with your children - my peanut/nut allergy is also that severe. However, I bet these bars would be incredible made with SunButter instead of peanut butter - yum!!
Anjie says
These look so good and so easy to make. I even have a silicone ice cube tray in the shape of hearts that would be fun to use. Thanks for the great V-day idea!
Allison at Novice Life says
Thanks for sharing! My hubby loves these and his birthday is right around the corner!!
Monica H says
I think Sun Butter is sunflower butter. One of the boys I nanny for has an allergy (just discovered) and his mom bought him a jar of the stuff. He seems to like it pretty well and the texture is the same.
Anonymous says
You should specify which chocolate goes with what. Does the peanut butter get mixed with the chips or the white? Thanks for the recipe!
RainDancer says
She did specify. After you melt the white chocolate you stir the peanut butter into it.
RainDancer says
She did specify. After you melt the white chocolate you stir the peanut butter into it.
Wake up and read says
Yes, I repeat, melt the WHITE CHOCOLATE and then stir the peanut butter into it.
Charlotte Wood says
These sound/look awesome, but I just have to ask... can you taste the white chocolate? I hate the flavor of white chocolate, but everything else is win! Chocolate + PB = <3 <3 <3
Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says
Hi Charlotte, you really can't taste the white chocolate specifically, it gives the peanut butter a smoother silky texture. It is the peanut butter you taste. However if you really dislike the taste of white chocolate, this may not be for you - I dislike cooked green peppers and let me tell you just 1 strip "contaminates" the taste of a big pot full of food lol!!
Katelyn Likes This says
These are AWESOME! I'm going to make these and do a post on them! Full credit, of course!
Thanks a bunch!
Katelyn
Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says
Hope you enjoy them Katelyn 🙂
Donna Boucher says
Wow! Thank you for this simple and yummy looking recipe!!
The Girl Behind The Camera says
These sound awesome. I will try them with sunbutter or maybe the "no stir" almond butter I saw in the store recently.
My son, now 4.5 years old is allergic to peanuts. We learned the hard way about two years ago. At the time, I reasoned that I could drive to the hospital faster than an ambulance could arrive at my house. I drove 2.5 miles, with stop lights, in 3 minutes flat.
Anyway, the list of things you've helped your children to learn at a very young age is similar to our list. I also have my son wear a Medic-Alert bracelet with his allergy information, a directive to use his EpiPen, and the phone numbers of the four people closest and authorized to make medical decisions for him.
I see the world differently since that day and our mad rush to the hospital.
BTW - I came across your site through Donna Boucher's http://booshay.blogspot.com/2011/06/ye-ole-rabbit-trail.html post today. I am so glad I found you!
Kim says
My son is allergic to tree nuts but not peanuts. He is also a ceoliac - this is gluten free so he would love this. Thanks!
Anonymous says
I'm whipping these up now and making with semi-sweet chocolate (instead of the milk chocolate the recipe calls for). Hope they are just as yummy. A yummy treat to my hubby for our 7 year Wedding Anniversary today. 🙂
Jodi@GarlicGirl.com says
Saw these on Pinterest and just wanted to let you know they look so amazing. I'm going to try them soon!
Anonymous says
Pardon me, but I work for a large Allergy group and I feel that even having those things in your house, as cautious as you make you children, things can still happen. Your treats look great, but I feel that this is not a smart move on your behalf.
Anonymous says
Ironically, I too work for an allergist and a conversation sparked with my co-workers about this topic. You're poor kids. Why can't you have a nut free and seafood free home? Things are tempting, but at the cost of your children's precious lives? Have you ever had to administer epipen on one of your kids and watch them cry? I think you are selfish. Maybe start making recipes that your whole family can eat and inspire others to do the same on your blog. I hope this hits home for you and possibly other readers that would consider bring poision into their homes.
Anonymous says
I'm sorry the last 2 comments just made me go grrrrr...how dare you judge someone else? People are just downright rude and nasty and make the rest of the planet sad that they had an interaction with them. If you want to rant against someone...get your own webpage, until then...quit being so childish and keep your opinions to yourself.
PCJ says
So glad that you said that as I was kind of feeling the same!! They are sadly judging without fully knowing!! They are assuming that she leaves these things out in the open for her kids to get a hold of, without even considering that she may just have them locked away somewhere safely!! Sad how judgemental some people are these days!! I also love how neither of those posters had the guts to put their name down, but rather instead remained 'Anonymous'!!
Anonymous says
To the last comment - WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!? I agree with the other two comments. I was happily pinning things on Pinterest when I came across this lovely dessert, but it upset me when I think about how much others really sacrifice for their children and family and she doesn't. If you were to live in a home with alcoholism and told that person, "I know you have been sober and you can't have any drinks but I'm gonna knock a bunch back right in front of you." Pretty much the same thing. Please people, OPEN your gosh darn eyes. I can certainly get my own web-page, which I do have...but this is FREEDOM of SPEECH. Have you ever heard of that?!? You should get a grip and get with the program, lady! Thank you, I'll gracefully step down off of my soapbox now.
Souffle Bombay (Colleen) says
It's kind of crazy that folks above are "upset" about this considering I am the type of gal that avoids causing problems and goes out of her way to help others. Until you have walked in anothers shoes... I am a hyper villigant mom often teased by my friends for being over protective. I have fully educated my kids on what to watch out for as stated above. On a daily basis they are exposed to foods they are allergic to at school, in friends and family's homes and out and about. And in the blink of an eye they will be out in the world on their own. I am raising them to be informed, confident and careful. I just talked to my 9 year old son about a few of the recent comments on this recipe and asked him what he thought. I asked him if he thought I should never make anything with nuts or shellfish. He repied "Mommy, why are people "warring" over this?" "I know what is safe and what isn't and you always tell us what is safe and what is not. I am ok with you making stuff for others." I rarley buy store bought treats and make more cookies, candies, etc that anyone I know to keep my kids safe. I appreciate the concern, however I've "got" this.
kitchenMage says
First, simple interesting recipe. Maybe I can replace those commercial peanut butter / chocolate collisions with homemade. Bookmarking the recipe so I can try it.
Second, what the heck? I was so happy to finally see a parent who was teaching their children how to survive in the world and then...the cotton-swaddlers show up to protest. Sure kids who are too young to know better means an allergen-free house but it's not like you're leaving McLobster Nuggets on the counter to tempt toddlers.
Anonymous says
Who is the parent here? Enough said.
Anonymous says
I NEVER comment, but these people are really out of line. I grew up as the child with severe allergies and NEVER felt like I missed out on anything. The food was in my house and it helped me to learn what to avoid. My mother made many great things for me while still doing for others with as she does! I am still healthy.
Anonymous says
Wow i never comment on things but after reading these horribly nasty and judgemental comments i had to!...leave this lady alone...you have no right to judge and criticize her and how she chooses to run her household...from what i read she is raising educated and cautious children...not depriving them...on a lighter note i cant wait to try these:)
Joline says
Was I the only one who read the line:
"My niece who is 6 (and my sister)"
to mean that somehow your niece was also your sister?
Colleen aka Souffle Bombay says
Joline..I just laughed out loud re-reading what you referenced. Guess it does read that way, however of course that is not the case But it did just give me a huge chuckle!! Thanks for that 🙂
Dawn Chandler says
Oh. Yummy. Yummy. Yummy!!! Can't wait to try this!!
Anonymous says
Thank you for sharing this recipe!! Just made them for our family and they are GREAT! Very easy to make and easy to plan ahead for if you need to take something somewhere! YUMMY! Thanks again - and sorry that other people felt like they needed to reprimand you for your parenting.
Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says
Glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for your sweet comment 🙂
Anonymous says
I was all excited, and thinking I'd make these this morning. BUT,I don't have any heavy cream. All I have is whole milk, 2%, and CoffeeMate. Will either of these work to mix with the milk chocolate?
Anonymous says
I was happily reading the comments until people started getting preachy. It's so easy to be rude on the internet, isn't it?
Anonymous says
I love that you are raising your children to be educated about their allergies!! Great job! ! You are showing your children first hand what they need to know to survive. Out in the real world, nuts and shellfish aren't going to magically jump out of their way!!
P.s. McLobster nuggets?? LMAO!!!:)
Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says
Thank you!! I know! The McLobster Nuggets cracked me up as well!
Anonymous says
These look AMAZING!!!
I also have sever nut allergies, but my boyfriend loooves peanut butter and has been on the lookout for a substitute. Well, he found one called Wow Butter, it is made from soy and tastes, feels, smells (or so he says anyway), and bakes just like peanut butter...and it's my new addiction. I definitely have to make these! Thanks so much for posting!
Anonymous says
I know this post has been around for awhile, but I feel the need to reaffirm your smart parenting style! I hope those judgmental, rude comments did not bring you down, because you are making the best choice for your children. Outside of your home, they will be exposed to allergens every day and you are helping them to manage their allergies in a way that does not turn them into over-sensitive outcasts! As a teacher, I wish more parents of my students with allergies handled it the way you do... their children would be much more prepared for the real world! Way to go!
Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says
Thanks so much for your comment. The way I see it we get one shot to "make our people" the best we can...the kindest, the truest, the safes, etc. I take that job very seriously 🙂
Rebecca Ednie says
I can't wait to try this. When I saw that you use PB and shellfish, With highly allergic kids in the house, I thought, 'I wouldn't do that, not sure if it's a good idea.' but that was my first thought. And I wouldn't have commented here, publicly. Now that I understand why, still not sure I would but I totally understand it.
I'm guessing you are in the US but here in Canada, our schools have very strict no peanut, tree nuts, seed or shellfish, at least in my region. And we recently got a notice that there was a kid in my son's classroom who is allergic to dairy and eggs so please don't send them! Seriously? I feel For these kids and their Parents but these kids have to be careful and restricting those foods removes half of my kids diet. And where does it stop? So I applaud you for teaching your kids to be safe and better to have a reaction at home than elsewhere. I'm sure if it became a recurring problem and your children's lives were at risk, you'd deal with it, by not buying those foods if necessary. I'm off to buy white chocolate. Thanks for the awesome sounding recipe!
Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says
Thanks Rebecca!
Anonymous says
I know I am a little late I. The commenting but I too have a food allergie. I have to have everything gluten free so I under stand where you are comming from. I am excited to try these as they are gluten free. I would also like to say that I would never expect the people around me to eat gluten free because I have to. That is just crazy.
Rayna Lynn says
These look delicious! I might even try subbing in coconut milk instead of heavy cream since it's what I have on hand right now.
Anonymous says
My son has allergys to penuts i just buy the soy he never has to go without its so nice that there are some imitation penut butter brands out there as far as all the previous comments isnnt there enough stress in this world without people arguing over stuff that really should be keept to yourself anyways i wish everyone in the world would just simply get along it goes without saying if u dont have something nice to say dont say it at all...anyways thanks to the person whho posted this
Anonymous says
What do you mean by "heavy cream"?
Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says
Heavy cream is also often referred to as whipping cream and has a 35-40& fat content.
Anonymous says
Amazing recipe!! Found it on Pinterest 🙂
And to all the haters, chill out. This is HER blog.
Jessie says
I think Sun Butter is sunflower butter. One of the boys I nanny for has an allergy (just discovered) and his mom bought him a jar of the stuff. He seems to like it pretty well and the texture is the same.
AaronVZmL says
My son has allergys to penuts i just buy the soy he never has to go without its so nice that there are some imitation penut butter brands out there as far as all the previous comments isnnt there enough stress in this world without people arguing over stuff that really should be keept to yourself anyways i wish everyone in the world would just simply get along it goes without saying if u dont have something nice to say dont say it at all...anyways thanks to the person whho posted this
Patriciajzzx says
These sound/look awesome, but I just have to ask... can you taste the white chocolate? I hate the flavor of white chocolate, but everything else is win! Chocolate + PB = <3 <3 <3
Lisa says
Have you made this with all-natural PB? That's the only kind I buy, but I wonder if they would set up as well.
Rebecca Ednie says
I made this recipe for a huge crowd at a graduation party. Got rave reviews and someone even mentioned it a couple days ago, months after the original event! Definitely a keeper. Outstanding recipe.
Lexiquin says
These look delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
aleq13@gmail.com
Anonymous says
Do you refrigerate after cutting?
Kristin D. says
That's what I would like to know as well! Do you refrigerate after cutting them to store them or can you leave them out? Thanks 🙂
Jane Shutts says
Thanks for sharing the recipe! Everyone at our house loves this! 🙂
Robin Wilson says
I know what ppl are going to get in their holiday food baskets this year! Thank you for sharing about your children. It helps for me to be educated too!
Heather R says
I love everything about this recipe. First off, they taste like heaven! Love also that they require only four ingredients, and are no bake! Fast, easy and delicious. Perfect. I'm wondering what kind of chocolate do you use, semi-sweet or milk? I had used semi-sweet but think they would probably taste like a Reece's Peanut Butter Cup (only better) if I used milk.