Sometimes I like the idea of a food more than the actual food. Hot chocolate is one of those foods. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy a good cup of hot chocolate, but nothing is cozier or more romantic than the idea of huddling around a warm mug of sweet hot beverage. The mere thought of hot chocolate brings to mind not the contents of the cup but the scene in which it is being enjoyed. Perhaps you are sitting on the couch with your sweetheart watching snow fall through the window pane. Maybe you’re walking through the park with your best friend watching your own breath mingle with the steam. I present to you the thought that the specialness of hot chocolate is not the recipe itself but the idea of it. This recipe plays with that thought. It takes the familiar image of hot chocolate and turns it on its head, creating adorable little mini chocolate bites.

1 small package peanut butter coated pretzels

1/2 cup heavy cream

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips, plus 2 Tablespoons melted

3/4 cup peanut butter chips

Marshmallows, to top, optional

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Spray 2 mini muffin tins with non stick spray. Divide the cookie dough into 24 balls, 1 Tablespoon each. Place the round ball of dough in the cookie pan.
2. Bake for 12 minutes. The cookies will sink in on their own, creating the cup like shape. If your cookies touch one another that is fine. It’s also okay if they grow too far over the sides. You can trim them later when they are cool. If they don’t spread too much you don’t need to worry about trimming them. Allow the cookies to cool completely in the pan before removing. Trim if necessary and set aside.
3. Cut the pretzels to create the handles. Dip each end in the melted chocolate and stick to the cookie cup.
4. Combine the chocolate and the peanut butter chips into a bowl. Bring the cream up to a boil either in the microwave or on the stove. Pour over the chocolate and peanut butter chips. Whisk together to create a ganache. Spoon or pipe the ganache into the cups. Top with mini marshmallows or cut large marshmallows if so desired. Allow the ganache to cool before serving.