Hershey’s Chocolate Company and Chef Gene Gonzalez of Café Ysabel chain of restaurants and culinary school pioneer Center for Asian Culinary Arts share how to create a gourmet delights using a home pantry staple that has been a favorite of kids for years.  As Chef Gene confirms, “one never quite gives up the love for peanut butter, even in adulthood.  The flavor, especially when combined with chocolate, is associated with so many happy childhood memories; it’s nearly impossible to separate the emotions with the sensory delight of creamy, chewy, and rich taste.” Here’s one recipe.

Ingredients:

1/2  cup unsalted butter
1/2  cup Reese’s Peanut Butter
1/2  cup sugar
1/2  cup brown sugar
1 pc egg
1/4  tsp vanilla extract
1 ¼  cup all-purpose flour
1/2  tsp. baking powder
3/4  tsp. baking soda
1/4  tsp. salt

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.  Grease 2 cookie sheets and set aside.
2. Sift the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together. Set aside.
3. Using the paddle attachment of the mixer, mix the butter and peanut butter together until smooth and creamy. Add in the sugar and brown sugar. Continue mixing until light and fluffy. Add the egg and the vanilla extract. Lastly, add in the sifted dry ingredients and just mix until there’s no more trace of flour.
4. Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes.
5. Form the dough into 1-inch balls. Arrange them on the cookie sheet about 2 inches away from each other. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the sides are slightly browned. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.