Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies

INGREDIENTS:

* 48 Ritz crack:ers

* 3/4 c. creamy peanut butter

* 8 oz. chocolate almond bark

* 8 oz. semisweet chocolate chips

* Sea salt flakes, optional

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a medium heat-proof bowl, melt the chocolate almond bark and chocolate chips in the microwave on a low setting, stirring regularly. Or set up a double boiler (my preferred method). Take care to not let the chocolate scorch.

While chocolates are melting, line a 15″ x 10″ rimmed pan with wax paper. Place 24 of the Ritz crackers on the wax paper, leaving an inch of space in between each one. Place a generous tablespoon of peanut butter onto the center of each cracker. No need to spread the peanut butter.

Place another cracker on top of the peanut butter and gently press the cracker down a bit at the center of the cracker. This will spread the peanut butter out in between the two crackers. Repeat until you have all sandwich cookies assembled.

After chocolates have melted, drop a sandwich cookie into the chocolate. Using two forks to maneuver the sandwich cookie, quickly turn the cookie to completely cover it with chocolate. Lift the cookie out with one of the forks, and tap the fork handle lightly on the side of the bowl to force excess chocolate down through the fork’s tines and back into the bowl. Slide the fork outward from the bowl, dragging the bottom of the tines along the rim of the bowl, letting any other excess chocolate drip down the inside of the bowl. Transfer chocolate-dipped cookie onto the wax paper, using a toothpick to aid in sliding the cookie off the fork’s tines. Repeat until all cookies are dipped. If the chocolate becomes thick and difficult to work with, simply warm it up a bit more.

If you wish to top the cookies with sea salt flakes or sprinkles, be sure to sprinkle the cookies before the chocolate sets up.

These freeze really well. Keep layers separated with wax paper.