Let me just tell you… When you’ve been dealing with trying to clean up a flooded basement, there aren’t many surprises better than finding a big box of chocolate on your doorstep. Especially if you love chocolate as much as I do!
I was given the opportunity to try out some of the products from Dove Chocolate Discoveries, a home party company that offers premium chocolate exclusively through in-home tastings. That’s right… You heard me correctly – in-home chocolate tasting parties. Getting together and eating chocolate with some of your best friends? That sounds like a pretty good time to me!
As soon as the big box of chocolate arrived (and it was a big box!), I started snacking. And, the chocolate is good! The box included a selection of white chocolate, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, caramels, cinnamon dusted chocolate almonds (my personal favorite!), and other goodies for baking and entertaining (including a chocolate martini mix that I am saving for a girls’ night in the near future).
Chocolate Giveaway…
Jealous much? Well, do not worry… You, too, could receive a big box of chocolate on your doorstep! I am giving away a package that includes a selection of Dove Chocolate Discoveries products (worth $176!).
Congratulations to Mynda who was randomly selected as the winner of the giveaway… Here’s her winning comment about how she likes to enjoy chocolate!
My favorite way to enjoy chocolate is semi or bittersweet pieces inside sandy shortbread cookies! Great post … can’t wait to try your recipe — mahalo!
Even if you don’t win my chocolate giveaway, you can still have the chance to sample the Dove Chocolate Discoveries products (that aren’t available in stores)… You can host a Girls’ Night In tasting party in your home (fun!), and if you host on September 22nd, you receive an extra $50 product bundle (for parties over $350) in addition to the free product you earn for the party!
In the Kitchen…
Of course, as much as I was enjoying snacking on all of the chocolate, I knew that I had to put together a fun recipe using some of the chocolate. My mind immediately turned to the whole tasting party concept. I love small desserts… I’d much rather have 4 or 5 small bite-sized desserts than a big plate of anything. Plus, I think small individual portions are best for entertaining. Finger food always makes things easier.
So, I decided to use the dark chocolate dessert cups that came in my big box of chocolate to make some rich, creamy peanut butter cups. Who can resist chocolate and peanut butter? I also threw in some white chocolate in the filling and topped the cups off with additional dark chocolate. No such thing as too much chocolate.
Creamy Peanut Butter Cups
(Makes 20 petite cups)
- 4 ounces Chef-Series white chocolate
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons half and half
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 20 petite dark chocolate dessert cups
- Additional Chef-Series dark chocolate
Place the white chocolate in a microwave safe bowl, and microwave on medium heat at 15 second intervals until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
Meanwhile, beat together the cream cheese and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Pour in the melted white chocolate and the half and half and beat until everything is well incorporated. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth.
Transfer the peanut butter filling to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe the filling into the dark chocolate dessert cups. (Of course, you could spoon the filling into the cups, but I find that the piping bag works well and makes everything look pretty!)
Use a fine microplane to grate the remaining dark chocolate over the prepared cups. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
My Kitchen Addiction Product Review Policy and Disclosure– I received this product (Dove Chocolate Discoveries products) at no cost from the manufacturer (or a representative PR firm) for the purpose of testing and reviewing the product, and I have been compensated for writing about Dove Chocolate Discoveries. I only review products that I have personally tested and used in my kitchen/home, and all opinions expressed are my own.
i like my chocolate with ice cream
I enjoy chocolates while curled up with a good book.
I don’t think I have ONE way of enjoying chocolate, I love it in all forms! Hot Cocoa is one, and I love tempering chocolate because it’s just soothing and lovely to do.
My favorite way to enjoy chocolate is in a big comfy chair, with a good book and cup of coffee.
Dove chocolate? Yum! A nice piece of chocolate and a cup of coffee always puts me in a good mood :)
I don’t think I have found a way to NOT enjoy chocolate…maybe the best is with peanut butter!
I enjoy chocolate just as it is…nothing else needed. :-)
My favorite way to enjoy chocolate is to share it with my kids! Messy chocolate faced kids are the cutest :)
Yummy! Dove chocolate is awesome. I have been enjoying their chococlate peanut butter squares after lunch this week.
When I was little, my favorite way to enjoy chocolate was to grab a handful of chocolate chips and eat them directly out of the bag.
Although I’d like to say my palate has evolved a bit since then, I do still enjoy that. But, I’d have to say my favorite way (right now) to enjoy chocolate is a toss up between a good flourless chocolate cake (I’m still dreaming of one I had during Restaurant Week here) and a rich dark chocolate bar with sea salt (keeping it simple).
Chocolate is an essential food group in my life! I especially enjoy it in any form after a meal.
My favorite way to enjoy chocolate is right after dinner for dessert… always leaves a great taste in your mouth for the rest of the night!
I love dark chocolate with peanut butter, buckeyes are the best!
My favorite way to enjoy chocolate is all on its own – a truffle, a square of chocolate.. there is no better afternoon pick-me-up. Especially with a cup of coffee! Those peanut butter cups are beautiful, Jen. I want to eat like 15 of them.
Chocolate with a cup of coffee is perfect – that way I don’t get overwhelmed with the sweetness. Unless, of course, we are talking about dark chocolate, in which case it is to be savored slowly, in tiny bites.
There is clearly no wrong way to enjoy chocolate, but the chocolate/PB combo is especially delicious!
I love super dark chocolate by itself…75% cocoa content or higher!
Hmmm, let’s see. Chocolate with peanut butter, chocolate with raspberries, chocolate with strawberries, chocolate with a nice glass of port, chocolate when I am happy, chocolate when I am sad, chocolate when I am neutral…
Chocolate with some sparkling white wine, great music, a bubble bath and a good book. Awwwwwwww
love brownies thanks
I love chocolate anyway I can get it!!!
I have a terrific recipe for a dark chocolate cake that’s made with coffee that I love frosted with peanut butter icing. Yum!
Dark chocolate is the very best any time of the day. Love to melt and drizzle over clementines. Your peanut butter cups I would say are to die for, can’t wait to make them.
Thanks for the post
I work in a mental health center — sharing a piece of chocolate with someone who’s having a bad day, as I make them an appointment — is priceless.
I like to savor it – melt rather than chew it! And with a glass of milk or mug of tea it is just awesome :)
I’m 9 months pregnant, so I enjoy chocolate anywhere, anyhow.
My favorite way to eat chocolate is melted, to dip fruit into. Especially strawberries and raspberries.
My favorite way to enjoy chocolate is sharing it with my three boys! ALways puts a smile on EVERYONE’s face!
I enjoy chocolate the most when I’m sharing it with friends :)
Thanks for a really good sounding recipe. I’m looking forward to trying it.
I love to enjoy my chocolate after dinner when the kids are asleep. I usually draw a hot bath & munch on some milk chocolate as my winding down for the day.
I just LOVE coming home from work and having a cup of coffee with anything chocolate. The darker the better!!
I’m not entering the contest. Just had to comment on how absolutely scrumptious your peanut butter cups look!
Favorite way to eat chocolate?! Any way I can get it! :)
I’ll take chocolate any way I can get it! My favorites are chocolate covered strawberries and toffee.
i will take chocolate pretty much any way i can get it, but if i had to pick absolutely ONE way, it would be in brownie form–gooey, chocolatey goodness!
I enjoy chocolate on a plate, a napkin, a doily, in a box, in a cup, in my hand. I just enjoy chocolate. I even put cocoa in my homemade chili.
Whatever it is, chocolate makes it better.
chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com
After dinner. 2 squares of dark chocolate for me and 1 square of milk chocolate for my husband. He has more self control!
These look scrumptious! I must try these asap! Chocolate withdrawal coming on. Thank you for the delicious recipe!
Chocolate and peanut butter……yummy!
I like my chocolate with a big glass of milk!
I love creamy caramel inside my chocolate bar….such as a Caramello. Yum! Though I’d have to say chocolate and peanut butter runs a close second.
Thanks!
I love chocolate pretty much any way, but especially with caramel!
What a fun concept for in-home parties! I love chocolate mousse, but I’m also fine just snacking on a piece of dark chocolate by itself. Yum.
I love just a bit of chocolate every day!!
My favorite way to enjoy chocolate is watching some tv show or movie i love with a big bowl of popcorn.. I LOVE that sweet and salty combo :)
I enjoy my chocolate in only 1 way: in secret (like the car) with my sister away from all the kids. It’s our little ritual whenever we go out. Don’t tell!! I might have to add these pb cups to our annual Christmas bakaing weekend.
I like my chocolate with ANYTHING sweet – cheesecake, peanut butter, ice cream, cookies…I love it all!
I have to say… one of my FAVORITE ways to enjoy Chocolate is in a Buckeye Cake! That right there is a little slice of heaven (albeit, a LOT of calories! LOL!) Chocolate cake on the bottom… Creamy Peanut butter on top and COVERED in a Chocolate Ganache! Gotta go… drooling on the key board again!
A balanced diet MUST include chocolate…to balance, put milk chocolate in one hand and dark chocolate in the other!
Seriously, I love chocolate chip cookies right out of the oven while the chips are still melty (that is, if the dough makes it into the oven)!