Double Chocolate Chunk Peanut Butter Bars

Chocolate and peanut butter, as we all know, is the best combination on this planet. Say what you wish- pumpkin and chocolate, chocolate and berries, mint and chocolate… Peanut butter and chocolate is where it's at yo.

 A few weeks ago, I had this ingenious idea of developing a recipe involving the two. I shan't say more, because it'll be showing up in your inbox soon enough. And we wouldn't want to give a secret away, now would we? No sir-reeeeeeeee.

I was planning on whipping up so-said-secret-recipe today. But turns out, I didn't have everything I needed. SOOO on to Plan B I went. Sorry dearest Plan A, but I'm pretty sure Plan B turned out better than you every will. Just sayin'.

As I was searching every possible nook and cranny in the kitchen for a recipe to play off of, I found a recipe on a Crisco label for "Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies". Well… Don't mind if I do. 

Today's recipe tastes pretty dang close to a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. The cookie base is just how I like 'em- soft, buttery, chewy, and full of flavor. Then of course I amped it up with some chocolate chunks- both dark and milk for some variety. And as if they could't get any better, some salted peanuts for a little crunch. 

Everything's better with a little crunch!

Yup. Feel free to quote me on that. 

Also… I feel the need to warn you about something. These beauties are weirdly addicting. I'm pretty sure that I ate about half of the pan! HA. HA. HA. You think I'm joking, don't you? I wish I was. It seemed like every time I took a picture, I ended up taking a bite… I took about 20 pictures, so do the math. ;) 

After eating these all afternoon, it was a good thing that I was planning on going for a run with friends. Whenever they said "Let's stop!" I kept trudging on saying, in between tired breaths, "NO! I must… keep… going! I ate… too… many… GOSH. DANG. COOKIES!!!" They didn't care. And I left them behind in the dust. 

The end. 

You probably want cookies now, right? Sorry. 

Double Chocolate Chunk Peanut Butter Bars

1/2 c. butter, softened

3/4 c. creamy peanut butter

1 1/4 c. white sugar

3 tbsp. milk

1 tbsp. vanilla

1 egg

1 3/4 c. flour

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 c. dark chocolate chunks

1/2 c. milk chocolate chunks

1/2 c. salted peanuts

Heat oven to 375ºF. In a large bowl, cream the butter, peanut butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla. Add in the flour and baking soda. Stir until combined. Once smooth, fold in the peanuts and chocolate chunks. Press the dough into a greased 9x9 in. pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. If desired, sprinkle with an additional 1/4 c. chocolate chunks after they've been removed from the oven. Let cool before cutting into squares. BEST SERVED COLD!!