My Smashed Chocolate Covered Cherry dessert panini combines the luscious flavor of fresh juicy cherries with creamy spreadable chocolate. Sometimes a simple, classic flavor combination can create a new recipe worth sharing, repeating and making your own. Get my recipe...
Make it your own: Cherries or Berries. Cherries and chocolate is a classic combination. But for a fruity spin on this recipe you can substitute fresh strawberries, fresh blueberries or even fresh raspberries. Because sometimes cherries are hard to find. And sometimes a smashed chocolate covered blackberry panini sounds just divine.
Choco-PB Spread. I chose to make today's panini with cherries and chocolate. I used a dark chocolate peanut butter spread . But you can use your fave spreadable chocolate brand. There are more than a handful of brands on the market. If you need help finding a vegan option - let me know in the comments.
I love this recipe so much I entered it in the Great PB Exhibition. Theme fruits/veggies.
UPDATE:
I Won! Thrilled that this recipe won first place in PeanutButterBoy.com's recipe contest "produce" category. I received an amazingly awesome prize pack from one of my favorite brands: Peanut Butter and Co.
Thanks PB Boy and PB&Co - I'm peanut-butter-happy today!!
Prize Pack *yum*:
..and I was shocked and thrilled to read that the baking mixes are certified vegetarian and kosher parve - after reading each ingredient closely - yes vegan as well! PB Brownies for me.
Here's my choco-peanut-cherry-licious recipe. Side of ice cold soy milk on the side...
Smashed Chocolate Covered Cherry
makes 1 panini
5-6 fresh cherries, halved and de-pitted
*or sub another fresh fruit - berries are best
1 heaping tablespoon chocolate spread
*I used peanut butter chocolate
2 slices sandwich bread
*I used a sliced whole wheat pullman loaf
Directions:
1. Prep cherries by halving and de-pitting.
2. Spread chocolate onto one slice of bread.
3. Place other slice of bread on panini press or grill and add fresh cherries. Use enough cherries to cover the surface.
4. Add top chocolate-spread bread slice.
5. Grill for 3-5 minutes.
6. Slice and serve warm.
Kathy Patalsky says
....well now I'm dying to know! how did u come across it?? haha. Thanks, glad u like the recipe!
Kathy Patalsky says
thanks! 🙂
Kathy Patalsky says
It's sooo good! And a luscious option for the dairy-free crowd out there who can't have Nutella and such...
...I need to try the cinna raisin pb&co flavor!!
stampylisa says
Justin's Nut Butter makes a dark chocolate almond spread. May not have refined sugar, I am not sure, I'm out of it right now, but there is no dairy in it. It's the only safe one for my dh.
Kathy Patalsky says
Justin's is an awesome brand! I love their new logo and package. Maple Almond Butter squeeze paks are my fave. PB&Co just started carrying squeeze paks too.
Kathy Patalsky says
I think NYC is just a bread-lovers haven. Sooo many options. I've never had any problems finding dairy free bread in the city. Whole Foods can actually be sneaky because they add milk to a few of their bakery-fresh WF breads. I always check the ingredients label.
When I want to stock up on my fave lower priced TJ's bread, I'll buy two loaves of the sprouted grain and soy pita options and freeze them. Most sliced bread thaws very well - especially if you are going to toast or panini it...
Kathy Patalsky says
Michelle, you don't like cherries?! haha that's OK, yes bananas and chocolate would be another delicious combo. Or strawberries. Or raspberries. Or pears. Or apples as you mentioned. 🙂
Kathy Patalsky says
refined sugars is a tricky one! I'd suggest simply making your own dark choco spread with a dairy/sugar free chocolate bar. Melt over stove and add an unrefined sweetener to taste. Maybe stir in some peanut butter as well as a thickener. Allow to cool to spreadable consistency - then proceed as directed in recipe. Good luck!
Cassie says
thanks for the advice! I'm even having trouble finding chocolate with no added sugars..it's very frustrating! (Although, logically, a "treat" of sugar every now and then will not kill me. 😉 ) Good idea with the PB..it makes everything better after all!