Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream made “Chubby Hubby” a popular flavor. Indeed, this traditional recipe has a host of ingredients that work together to create a unique, delicious flavor. However, the traditional Chubby Hubby centered around a lot of ingredients that were not necessarily healthy on their own or in combination. No one can deny how delicious the Chubby Hubby is. I decided to tackle this all-time favorite and see if I could turn it around a little bit to keep it as delicious as its predecessor yet as healthy as I need it to be to make it a flavorful alternative for pregnant women and their families. Enter the New Chubby Hubby!
This recipe relies on how well sweet and savory flavors work together to produce a delicious treat. First, this recipe incorporates one my favorite flavors, peanut butter. It also relies on the help of some salt and carbohydrates from pretzels and offset by the slight tang of bittersweet chocolate. A simple touch of brown sugar and some time baked in the oven turns this commonly frozen dessert into a warm, delectable treat that can be eaten as a dessert or snack. It also adds a nice touch of protein!
There is plenty of crunch and texture with this dessert. This is the perfect dish to bring to a party, or as a host or hostess gift. Pregnant women will appreciate the textures and complexities of flavors but it’s a snack the whole family, or your guests, can enjoy.
The New Chubby Hubby
Makes 14 to 16 servings
- ½ cup natural peanut butter (any brand)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 30 to 36 pretzel sticks
- 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand-up mixer, beat the peanut butter, butter, and brown sugar until creamy.
- Add vanilla and beat to combine.
- Gradually add in the flour, beating on low after each addition.
- Press the dough evenly into a lightly greased 8×8, 9×13 baking dish or 15×30 inch baking sheet.
- Gently press the pretzel sticks into the dough, making even lines down the length of the dough. Use more pretzel sticks if necessary, depending on the size baking dish or pan used to cover the entire length of the dough.
- Bake 13 to 14 minutes until the edges are golden and the center is set. Remove from the oven and cool.
- Melt chocolate in a heat safe bowl in the microwave on high heat; stir often until all the chocolate is melted. Drizzle across the cooled, baked dough.
- Slice into squares. Wrap individual squares in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Featured photo by Anthony Ievlev