Peanut Butter Mousse in Chocolate Candy Cups
Aletha
Peanut Butter Mousse
1 (14- to 16-ounce) package firm tofu
(2 cups), blanched and drained
1 cup maple syrup
3⁄4 cup smooth peanut butter, at room temperature
3⁄4 cup light natural cane sugar, or more to taste
3⁄4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
Chocolate Candy Cups
8 ounces nondairy chocolate chips
1. To prepare the mousse, crumble the tofu into a food processor and process 1
minute. Add the maple syrup and process 1 minute. Add the peanut butter, sugar,
cocoa, vanilla and almond extracts, and salt, and process until the mixture is
perfectly smooth and creamy. This can take up to 5 minutes. Stop the processor a
few times to clean the sides of the bowl.
2. The mousse is ready to use, but can be refrigerated in a covered container
for up to two days. Bring to room temperature when ready to use.
3. To prepare the chocolate cups, fit the paper liners into mini muffin tins or
place on a baking sheet lined with plastic wrap. Melt the chocolate in a small
heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of barely simmering water. Stir
occasionally until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Do not overheat. Remove
the bowl from the saucepan.
4. Spoon some melted chocolate into each cup. Use the brush to coat the liners
as thoroughly as possible. Make sure to coat the inside rim; you want to prevent
it from breaking when the paper is peeled off the chocolate.Wipe off any
chocolate that drips onto the outside of the rim. Refrigerate or freeze the cups
until the chocolate has hardened; this will take 10 to 30 minutes depending upon
how cold your freezer is, and how thick a layer of chocolate you have made.
Place the bowl of melted chocolate back on the saucepan and keep it warm over
barely simmering water.
5. Check the cups for thin spots. Add another layer of chocolate, coating the
thin spots more generously. The chocolate doesn’t have to be smooth; the cups
will be filled. Chill again until hardened.
6. Slowly and carefully peel the paper off in a spiral motion; don’t pull
straight down, or the rim may break. (You may find it easier to peel the paper
from the cups after you have filled them. Test one or two and decide which
method works better for you.)
7. To assemble the candy cups, spoon or pipe some peanut butter cream into each
cup using a pastry bag fitted with a plain or star tip. Refrigerate or freeze
until ready to serve.