Peanut Butter Apples

2 (12 ounce) packages peanut-flavored chips
1/4 cup butter-flavored vegetable shortening
12 crisp, medium-size apples
12 wooden Popsicle sticks
1 1/2 cups roasted chopped peanuts

Combine peanut butter-flavored chips and shortening in a deep narrow heat-proof glass or metal bowl. Heat hot plate on low heat. Place bowl on hot plate and melt mixture, stirring until smooth. Remove stems from apples and insert sticks halfway through. Dip apples into coating using spoon to help coat apples as necessary. Allow as much excess coating to drip off as possible.

Place peanuts in 1 or 2 shallow bowls. Immediately dip bottom of each apple in chopped peanuts. Place apples on foil or wax paper-lined tray. Chill briefly to set coating.