Thursday, May 19, 2011

Sweet & Salty Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars


Chocolate and peanut butter.  It's probably one of the most loved culinary combos of all time.  I'm definitely a huge fun of just grabbing a Reese's, but if you're feeling like you want a bit more of a challenge, these bars are the best! 

I found the recipe at the guilty kitchen.















Base Layer
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup sugar
5 Tbsp. Cocoa
1 egg, beaten
1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
3/4 cup coarsely crushed pretzels

First crush up the graham crackers and the pretzels.  A big ziplock bag and a rolling pin are your best friends for this job.

In double boiler (or a bowl resting over a pot of lightly simmering water), melt the first three ingredients.

While still over water, add egg and beat to combine (will thicken quite a bit here). Remove from heat and add crumbs and pretzels.

Press into an 8 x 8 cake pan. Set aside.  (You can also use a 9x13 pan, the bars will be thinner, but just as good).

Middle Layer
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly.
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1 cup smooth, natural peanut butter
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

Add peanut butter and butter together in small bowl.

Mix in sugar, salt and vanilla to form a thick paste.

Dump onto base layer and smooth over.  Cool in the fridge until it sets.
 
Top (final) Layer
5 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips
1 Tbsp unsalted butter
sea salt

In double boiler (or microwave), melt butter and chocolate chips together. Stir until complete dissolved and smooth.

Pour over peanut butter layer and spread out evenly.

Cool in fridge for about 5 minutes (should still be slightly soft on top but not warm).

Sprinkle, lightly, with sea salt. Return to fridge or freezer and let cool until completely hard.  Enjoy!!

No comments:

Post a Comment