PEANUT BUTTER CUP COOKIE BARS

Chocolate cookie bars topped with peanut butter filling and chocolate. Like a peanut butter cup in cookie bar form!

INGREDIENTS

•  1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder — I used Hershey’s Special Dark
•  1/2 teaspoon baking soda
•  1/4 teaspoon salt
•  1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
•  1/2 cup butter — softened
•  2/3 cup brown sugar
•  1/4 cup granulated sugar
•  2 teaspoons vanilla — divided
•  1 large egg
•  1 cup peanut butter
•  1/2 cup powdered sugar
•  1 12 ounce bag chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet)
•  2 teaspoons Crisco or vegetable oil
•  1/2 cup chopped peanuts

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13” pan with foil (for easy removal) and spray with cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and flour. Set aside.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and both sugars. Mix in egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla and mix until smooth. Add dry ingredients and mix until combined.
4. Spread cookie dough in prepared pan. Bake for about 17-19 minutes until it’s no longer shiny. Cool completely before continuing.
5. Mix peanut butter, powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla with a hand mixer until smooth. Spread over cooled cookie bars.
6. Place chocolate chips and Crisco or oil in a medium sized bowl. Heat on high heat in the microwave for 30 second increments, stirring between each, until melted and smooth (about 1 1/2-2 minutes). Spread over peanut butter layer. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts.
7. Let harden for several hours. You can chill the bars to make the chocolate harden faster, but be sure to let them come to room temperature before cutting so that the chocolate doesn't splinter when you cut them.
8. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 1 month.

Recipes by www.crazyforcrust.com