Desserts/peanut-butter chocolate truffle mice

Makes: about 40

Active Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes

From: http://www.bhg.com/recipe/peanut-butter-chocolate-truffle-mice/

Ingredients

8 ounces bittersweet chocolate pieces

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Pinch of salt

1/2 cup whipping cream

Sliced almonds

Red shoestring licorice

Decorative nonpareils

Directions

Step 1

In a small heat-proof bowl combine chocolate pieces, peanut butter, butter and salt; set aside. In a small saucepan bring whipping cream just to boiling over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and pour over chocolate mixture (do not stir). Let stand 5 minutes. Whisk until mixture is smooth. Let mixture stand at room temperature for 1 hour or until it has thickened to the consistency of a thick chocolate frosting.

= Step 2

Line two baking sheets with parchment or waxed paper; set aside. Spoon chocolate mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a large round tip. Pipe mixture into quarter-size mounds on the prepared baking sheets, lifting the tip at an angle to create a pointy nose. Before chocolate has set, add 2 almond slices for ears, a 2- to 3-inch piece of shoestring licorice for the tail and nonpareils for the eyes. Chill at least 1 hour or until ready to serve.