Peanut Butter Bars

Peanut Butter Bars

Everywhere I look these days, I see ads for Botox. Is it just me, or is everyone offering to inject your face? First it was dermatologists. Then my dentist joined the game. I wouldn’t be surprised if they start offering Botox along with your latte at Starbucks.

It’s just not fashionable to age gracefully. Okay, that’s cool. Though I sometimes wonder if the Botox makes people look younger. They just look…smoother.

But knowing me, I’ll probably be running to the needle soon enough. I’m very into trends. Fads are awesome. They’re totally logical and everyone should do what their friends are doing.

In the meantime, my secrets to the fountain of youth are simple. Sleep. Eat veggies and fish. Drink water and green tea. Use moisturizer and sunscreen, even when it’s fifty below zero outside (vampire skin is sexy). And eat peanut butter every day, preferably along with your daily hefty dose of chocolate. See? Simple!

Peanut Butter Bars

And one of the best ways to get your peanut butter is through bars. Bars that taste like a Reese’s, but better!

For several years now, the same Reese’s copycat peanut butter bar recipe has been circling everywhere that claims to taste just like a Reese’s peanut butter cup. It’s a no-bake recipe, and the peanut butter part contains graham cracker crumbs. Say what? Last I checked, Reese’s doesn’t have graham cracker in it.

Peanut Butter Bars

I mean, I get it. The consistency of the graham cracker really bulks out the peanut butter base nicely, and it does taste super good. I’m the last person to hate on graham cracker crumbs. I use them all the time. They’re the best!

But I’ve always wanted peanut butter bars to taste more like my beloved Reese’s. So this recipe has no graham cracker crumbs. In fact, it has no flour at all. Gluten-free people, rejoice! And it’s super addictive. I ate so many because I just lost total control of my ability to portion out my dessert. And our babysitter brought a bunch home for the week meaning to eat them gradually and share them, only to eat them all herself in about two seconds. I’m not lying. Danger lurks here!

Peanut Butter Bars

This recipe is also no-bake, by the way. You make it on a stovetop and it comes together in about five minutes. That doesn’t count chill time. You need to let the chocolate harden. So hold it together! You can do it! Get some Botox while the bars are chilling.

Peanut Butter Bars

Cut these into small squares. Don’t worry, you’ll still eat fifty of them. It’ll just feel better pretending you won’t. And get that glass of chocolate milk! It’s time to party.

 

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 16 oz. (1 jar) peanut butter
  • 2 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 package milk chocolate chips (about 12 oz.)

 

Instructions:

On the stovetop, melt the butter over low heat. Add the brown sugar, peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla and salt. Stir until the mixture is combined and smooth.

Press the peanut butter mixture into a 9 x 13 pan, doing your best to make an even layer. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top and wait five minutes. Using a spatula, spread the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer.

Chill for about 30 minutes until the chocolate is set. Let the bars come to room temperature and cut into small squares. I’d tell you to store these in an airtight container, but they won’t be around long!

 

Mir

I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner. This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker. Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.

This Post Has 6 Comments

  1. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust

    Oh, that would make life so much easier. Get a cleaning, get some botox. 😉 I’m kidding (but secretly I’m dying for some botox!) I’d rather eat these bars!

    1. Mir

      I think we’re all secretly dying for Botox. But not from my dentist.
      Thanks, Dorothy!

  2. Erin | The Law Student's Wife

    Best fountain of youth ever!

    1. Mir

      Ha! You are so right. Sugar keeps us young! Ignore all the evil research saying otherwise.

  3. Dina

    I made a pareve version of these for Shabbos. Wow, never seen my husband eat so much desert! Could be cuz he’s on an all-week-except-for-shabbos diet, though…

    1. Mir

      I do the same thing! Shabbos is for indulging!
      I’m so glad these were a hit. Thanks, Dina!

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