Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars

Last night I had a want to bake moment again!  I have so many things in my favorites on foodgawker that it's hard not to bake when I have a few minutes.  These bars were something I knew I had all the ingredients on hand to make and I did.  They were super easy to make, and so amazingly good!  My husband has a huge love for peanut butter and chocolate together.  Me on the other hand thinks those two ingredients are very rich together and can only eat a little of any dessert containing these two things.  I will say I love the taste though.  Peanut butter and chocolate just seem to melt in your mouth!  You can find the original recipe here at the pinch of yum blog.

Prep time:  20 mins, Cook time:  40 mins, Total time:  1 hour, Serves: 20 (I got 9 bars)

• 1 stick butter, unsalted (1/2 cup), softened
• ½ cup white sugar
• ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup peanut butter
• 1 egg
• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt (less if you don’t like salty/sweet)
• ½ cup rolled oats
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven 325 degrees

Make the cookie dough by creaming the butter, sugars, and peanut butter until smooth and fluffy. Add the egg and beat until incorporated. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the flour mixture in with the butter and sugar, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the oats and chocolate chips.

Make the cheesecake filling: Cream the cream cheese, egg, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.

Press half to two-thirds of the cookie dough in the bottom of a 9-inch square baking dish. Pour the cheesecake filling over the dough. Crumble the remaining dough and sprinkle over the top, OR roll it into a flat layer and place it over the cheesecake layer.

Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes; remove foil and bake for another 15-25 minutes, or until tops is lightly browned and cheesecake layer is set. Serve warm or cold and store leftover bars in refrigerator.

Crispy Peanut Butter Balls

This is the second time I've ever made these and they have been a hit both times.  The recipe comes from the 2011 Taste of Homes Annual Recipe book.  These cook books are my favorite! 

Ingredients 
2 cups creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup butter softened
3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
3 cups crisp rice cereal
4 cups Ghirardelli semi sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup plus 1 1/2 tsp shortening divided
1/2 cup vanilla or white chips (Ghirardelli brand)

Preparation
In a large mixing bowl, beat the peanut butter and butter until blended 
Slowly add the powdered sugar until all is combined
Stir in cereal
Shape into 1-inch balls or whatever size you prefer
Refrigerate until chilled

In microwave safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and 1/4 shortening.  Microwave on high until the chips are melted, about 3 minutes, and stir until smooth.  Dip balls into chocolate and place on a pan lined with wax paper.  Refrigerate until chilled.

In small microwave safe bowl, combine vanilla chips and remaining shortening.  Microwave at 70% power until melted, about 2 minutes, stir until smooth.  Drizzle white chocolate over balls and refrigerate until set. 
Tip:  I used my Wilton Decorator Plus to make drizzle over peanut butter balls

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Ingredients

1 box Devils Cake Mix	1/2 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
1 stick softened butter	1 14oz can Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 eggs	desired amount frozen Reeses, chopped
3/4 cup Ghiradelli Bittersweet Chips

 

Preparation

Preheat oven 350 degrees
Line 13x9 baking dish with foil and spray generously with nonstick spray.
In bowl mix cake, butter, & eggs until combined well and a dough forms. Spoon dough into baking dish. With clean hands press and spread evenly into baking dish. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top. In small bowl mix peanut butter and sweetened condensed, then spoon as evenly as possible over cake. Use spoon to spread somewhat evenly. In bowl, use fork to chop Reeses, and sprinkle over top.
Bake 27-31 minutes until set. Let cool completely to assure it is totally set.