Christmas Peanut Butter Balls - Made into Peanut Butter Patties Instead!

Reposting for 2016 - a delicious addition to the Christmas Cookie Tray!

Made into patties I didn't have to dip

Christmas Peanut Butter Balls - with a twist.   I decided to make them into patties instead.  This one is a very thin patty and I actually don't make the balls because I don't have the patience to dip them.  I started to dip these patties, thinking they were larger than a ball and wouldn't be as boring or take so long, but I quickly grew bored dipping them too so I poured a layer of chocolate on a baking sheet and chilled it.  Flattened the peanut butter filling over and topped with another layer of the chocolate - instead of dipping. You can do either!  Perhaps you don't mind dipping candies as much as I do.  Ha!

How they turn out if you have the patience to dip them!

Peanut Butter Patties

1/2 c creamy peanut butter
1/4 c real butter, room temperature
3/4 - 1 t vanilla extract
2 c powdered sugar
1 c semisweet chocolate chips mixed with 1 c milk chocolate chips
1 T shortening

Line a square baking pan with foil (I used a 10 inch square for thin patties, use 8 or 9 inch for a little thicker). Lightly spray with a Pam style cooking spray. Mix the peanut butter, butter, vanilla and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl with a paddle attachment if you have one. Pat the mixture flat in the pan. Chill or freeze until firm. Remove from pan by lifting the foil out of the pan and laying the bars on the counter.

Melt the chocolate chips and shortening in the microwave or over low heat on the stove until smooth, stirring regularly. Dip the squares, one at a time into the chocolate. Place on a cookie sheet lined with foil. Refrigerate until firm.

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