CHOCOLATE-COCONUT-PEANUT BUTTER LAYERED BITES

Chocolate-Coconut-Peanut Butter Layered Bites image

These little sweets, featuring the made-for-each-other trio of chocolate, coconut and peanut butter, are almost like fudge. They hold up well in the fridge and make a nice edible gift.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories dessert

Time 2h20m

Yield about 44 bite-size pieces

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

Cooking spray
Peanut Butter Cookie Layer:
2 cups smooth peanut butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Macaroon Layer:
3 large egg whites
One 14-ounce bag sweetened, shredded coconut
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
Ganache Layer:
6 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Pinch fine salt

Steps:

Position an oven rack in the bottom position of the oven, and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-inch square baking dish with foil, leaving an overhang on all sides. Coat the foil with cooking spray.
For the peanut butter cookie layer: Beat the peanut butter, sugar and salt with an electric mixer on medium-high in a medium bowl until smooth. Beat the eggs in one at a time and then the vanilla. Adjust the speed to medium-low, add the flour and beat until incorporated. Press the batter into an even layer in the bottom of the prepared baking dish; set aside.
For the macaroon layer: Whisk the egg whites in a large bowl until frothy. Toss the coconut, sugar and salt together with your hands in another large bowl; add the egg whites, and stir until the coconut mixture is coated. Scatter the coconut mixture in an even layer on top of the peanut butter cookie layer (there shouldn't be any peeking through).
Bake until the center doesn't jiggle when shaken and the coconut is golden brown, 55 minutes to 1 hour. Transfer to a rack, and let cool completely.
For the ganache layer: Put the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Combine the cream, butter and salt in a small saucepan, and heat over medium heat until steaming. Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate, and let sit for 5 minutes; stir until smooth.
Pour the ganache over the coconut. Cover loosely, and refrigerate until the chocolate is set up, about 30 minutes.
Lift the bar mixture out of the pan, and peel off the foil. Trim to make neat edges, and cut into very small squares, about the size of fudge.