Snickers Cookie Tarts

Okay, these aren't really Snickers in any way except that they are a bit like a Snickers candy bar but a cookie tart instead; get it?: like a candy bar, but not a candy bar, but like a cookie, but not a cookie, like a tart but not really a tart, well kind of like a tart that's like a cookie and a snickers bar all together, only not as bad for you as those things... because they are made with whole grains and better sugar, and not as much sugar, so if there is such a thing, than this is it; a  healthy Snickers Cookie Tart.  There is healthy and then there is chocolate cravings, and sometimes you can allow them to merge, just a little, and everyone is happy for a second.  I have been craving these ever since I imagined them.  I needed to bring a special dessert to a friends birthday picnic and this is what came to my mind.

What makes a Snickers Bar a Snickers Bar?  Well, its chocolate, peanuts, caramel and nougat; so here is the baked version: chocolatey, peanutty, carmely, nougaty (well,  not really  nougat… just creaminess that sort of reminds you of nougat) Cookie Tarts.

Click here to see how to make the cookie tarts 

For this recipe, you can really use any cookie recipe you like, and any caramel sauce you like, or you can make caramel sauce ahead with this recipe which is made with Coconut sugar.  This is a fun recipe, and will be gobbled up in a hurry.  It freezes well, so you can put them in the freezer for after school treats for the kids. Just pull them out as needed and let them set at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Snickers Cookie Tarts
Ingredients:
Chocolate Cookie Cups (Instructions Below)
1 Cup Caramel Sauce
1 Cup Mini Chocolate Chips
1 - 1 1/2 Cups Roasted Peanuts
Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Filling (Instructions Below)

Instructions:

1. Bake Cookie cups as instructed below.  Remove from pan and cool slightly.
2. Fill cups 3/4 of the way full with Caramel Sauce.
3. Top generously with Peanuts and Chocolate Chips.
4. Put Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Filling into a pastry bag and pipe over the top of the cups.
5. Drizzle with more Caramel Sauce.
6. Top with remaining Peanuts and Chocolate Chips.

Makes about 36 Cookie Tarts

Cookie Cups
Ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat or whole spelt flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups Coconut sugar
3 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3/4 cups mini chocolate chips chocolate
Makes 36 - 48 Cookie Cups

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large measuring bowl sift and mix together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.  
3. Stir together and blend well.
4. In a medium sized mixing bowl mix together  butter and sugar  with an electric mixer, until light and fluffy. 
5. Add butter, eggs and vanilla extract.
6. Mix until well blended.
7. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture.
8. Mix until blended.
9. Chill for 30 minutes. 
10. Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Place in to mini muffin tins.
11. Bake  8 - 10 minutes.
12. Remove from oven and using a round bottomed tool, press into cookies to make a tart; Click here for a visual.

Peanut Butter Cream Filling:
Ingredients:
1 8 oz package cream cheese
1 cup creamy peanut butter
3/4 cup sucanat
4 tablespoons half and half

Instructions:

1. Place all ingredients into a bowl and mix until creamy and smooth.
2. Put into pastry bags and pipe into cookie cups

These Freeze Well.

Enjoy!