Ever since making the Chocolate/Peanut Butter Covered Oreo Cheesecake Pretzel Bites for my Cheesecake Extravaganza, I haven't been able to get them out of my mind. Of course, this was partially because I had some leftover and was enjoying them on a daily basis, straight from the freezer (seriously. make them. freeze them. eat them. you will looooove!). When my stash started dwindling, I planned to make another batch, but didn't have all the ingredients on hand. Lately, my pantry has been overflowing and I'm making a conscious effort to use what I have, so I used some internet inspiration and ingredients from my pantry to make a similar treat.

This time, instead of cream cheese and oreos, there was peanut butter and peanut M&Ms. The constant in both? Pretzels and chocolate! These were more like jazzed up peanut butter balls than the cheesecake pretzel bites I had originally wanted but the end result was the same: an irresistible sweet and salty treat that I could pull from my freezer!

These are highly adaptable. The original recipe used toffee instead of peanut M&Ms. Reese's pieces or mini chocolate chips would be other great fillers. You could also decorate these with sprinkles, or not at all. They'll be headed straight for your mouth soon anyway!

I still have some extra dipping chocolate on hand. The verdict is still out on what freezer-friendly treat I'll make next!

P.S. Today I, along with 8 others--my awesome parents included--are doing the crazy RAGNAR Relay in DC that I've mentioned a few times. We'll be running about 200 miles from Cumberland, MD to Washington D.C. over the next day and a half. I have about 27 or 28 miles to cover in that time and when I'm not running I'll likely be stretching and eating...so don't be surprised if I don't reply to any emails or comments for a few days! Posts are pre-scheduled as usual so keep checking in for the next few days. I'll return to St. Louis on Tuesday and there will be an update on the race some time after that...assuming we survive ;) Check out my twitter--I'm sure I'll be updating along the way!


One Year Ago: Sweet and Spicy Citrus Tilapia
Two Years Ago: Frozen Peanut Butter Pie

Peanut, Peanut Butter, Pretzel Bonbons
inspired by Mel's Kitchen Cafe
*for approximately 50 bonbons

Ingredients:
-4 tbsp butter, at room temperature
-1 cup powdered sugar
-1 cup smooth peanut butter
-heaping 1/2 cup peanut M&Ms, coarsely chopped or crushed, plus additional for decorating
-1 cup chopped, crushed pretzel sticks
-dipping chocolate melts

Directions:
1. Beat butter and sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer until evenly combined. Mix in peanut butter, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Stir in the peanut M&Ms and pretzel sticks with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.
2. Place dough in freezer for 15 minutes to chill slightly. Remove and form 1-inch balls (approximately) of the mixture, placing on a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. Freeze for 15-20 minutes, until firm.
3. Melt chocolate candy melts. Remove peanut butter balls from freezer and, using a fork, dip each one in the melted chocolate, rolling to coat completely. Immediately garnish with chopped M&M pieces or garnish of choice. Lay covered balls on lined baking sheets and continue until all balls have been dipped.
*Store in freezer in an airtight container until ready to serve