This post comes to you thanks to a partnership with the Georgia Peanut Commission. You can learn more about the Georgia Peanut Commission by clicking here.
Are you getting back into hosting these days? If you’re anything like me, you’ve been feeling your way through the dark a bit. Kind of like when someone turns off the lights at night and you are momentarily consumed by the lack of visibility. Your eyes need to adjust and until they do, you are walking with your hands outstretched to help guide the way and prevent you from stubbing your toes. Know what I mean?
Well, when your eyes finally adjust, I hope they find a platter of these sweet, crunchy, nutty cinnamon twists within arms reach.
There are few things as satisfying as a buttery sweet treat that is filled with spices and brown sugar, then dipped in a luxurious chocolate sauce. The only thing that could bring it to the next level? Adding peanuts! My Cinnamon Twists with Chocolate Peanut Butter Dipping Sauce have a filling similar to that of a cinnamon roll, with the added crunch and nuttiness of ground peanuts. And because sometimes being a little extra is required (and fun), I decided to pair these puff pastry twists with a rich chocolate peanut butter sauce. Heaven!
I love serving these on a platter with the sauce in the center. It makes a beautiful presentation and allows everyone to take as much sauce as they desire! Plus, they are a breeze to whip up for a crowd and easy enough to make with kiddos! You could easily keep all the ingredients on hand so that you can put this together at a moment’s notice.
A couple fun facts you might not know about Georgia Peanuts:
Georgia Peanuts are a naturally sustainable rotation crop
Georgia Peanut farmers produced 53% of the peanut crops in the U.S. in 2020
Peanut plants use less water than comparable sources of nutrition
Who knew?! If you want to learn more, you can head to this link and get your Georgia Peanut Education on!
Cinnamon Twists with Chocolate Peanut Butter Sauce
Makes 20-24 twists
2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
2 tablespoons peanuts, unsalted
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Place a rack in the top and bottom third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 425F. Lightly grease two rimmed baking sheets, or line with parchment, and set aside.
Roll out the thawed sheets of puff pastry on a lightly floured work surface. If they are an uneven thickness, you can use a rolling pin to even them out. Make sure not to roll them too thin.
In food processor, add the peanuts, cinnamon, sugar, salt and butter. Process until the mixture resembles wet sand. Spread the cinnamon mixture evenly over both sheets of puff pastry. Using clean hands, firmly press the mixture into the dough.
Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut the dough into thin strips about 1/2 an inch wide.
Working with one strip of dough at a time, fold in half so ends meet and cinnamon filling is in the center. Holding the ends in one hand, use the other hand to gently twist the dough 3 or 4 times. Pinch the ends together and place on baking sheet.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, rotating pans halfway through, or until the twists are golden brown. Allow to cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheet before moving to a cooling rack to cool completely.
While the twists cool, make the sauce by combining the peanut butter and chocolate chips in a medium, microwave safe bowl. Microwave at 50% power for 20 second intervals, stirring in between, until chocolate is completely melted and sauce is smooth. Add vanilla and salt and stir to combine.
Serve twists with the warm sauce and enjoy!