Dark Chocolate Reeses

peanut butter cups, originally uploaded by pete bakes.

Dark Chocolate Reeses

Where have I been? As of June 2009 Hershey’s now offers Dark Chocolate Reeses Peanut Butter Cups! Sounds awesome! Not only that, there’s still time to participate in the national Reese’s Loves You Back promotion. The company is giving a way cash prizes totaling 2.5 million dollars in specially-marked products including the Reese’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. But hurry this promotion only lasts till December 31, 2009.

Having a peanut butter cup or two for a treat is enough of a reward in and of itself but hey if you don’t go overboard a little may actually be good for you.

Peanuts are a good source of protein, manganese, copper, and certain B vitamins. They have been found to lower the risk for heart disease. Peanut butter seems to confer similar benefits. What’s even better is that a recent research study found a little peanut butter is more satisfying as a snack food than other foods such as rice cakes or pickles because even a small amount seems to do a better job of satisfying hunger.

Peanuts and peanut butter are also a source of boron and phytoestrogens. Boron may ease menopausal symptoms. Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that may act like mild estrogens in the body and provide similar benefits for any woman facing these unwelcome challenges later in life.

Dark chocolate can be a good source of antioxidants and magnesium if it is made with a high enough cocoa content (70% or more is best). As little as 3-4 oz. of dark chocolate may help reduce blood pressure and risk for heart disease. A piece or two of Dark Chocolate Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups may not provide enough dark chocolate to see these benefits but even a little can’t hurt. (Unfortunately not even the Reeses company website has the nutritional information about this new product so for now I can’t tell you more.)

If you hurry you may still have time to participate in a contest for the best Dark Chocolate Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup recipes. Evidently the website Chocolate Atlas is having a contest. Winners will receive free samples of both 2-pack Reese’s Cups and bags of the Miniatures. The Deadline is fast approaching on Sept. 15, 2009. Wish I had found this earlier. Sorry!

Last but not least if you want to have your own version of Reese’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups consider making your own. It doesn’t look like it would be that complicated. There are directions along with some awesome photos on a blog called Pete Bakes Very nice. Check it out!

So get yourself some Dark Chocolate Reeses or make some of your own. A little bit won’t hurt and might even be good for you!