Peanut Butter Fudge Bars

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I'm trying to work my way through opened pantry stores in anticipation of our upcoming move. I had a partially used jar of peanut butter and a half bag of chips that I wanted to finish up before the big day arrives, and these bar cookies, an adaption of a recipe I found on Smitten Kitchen, seemed the perfect way to utilize them. The recipe is straight forward and I think you'll find the bars quite easy to make. One bite of them will send those who love peanut butter to the Valhalla of the goober world. I do hope you'll give this homely treat a try. Here is how the bars are made.



Peanut Butter Fudge Bars...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite inspired by Smitten Kitchen

Ingredients:
Bars
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1-3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup smooth peanut butter
2 large eggs + 1 large yolk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup peanut butter chips
1/2 cup chopped salted peanuts
1/2 teaspoon table salt
Icing
1-1/2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup chopped salted peanuts

Directions:
1)Preheat oven to 350 degrees F with rack in middle. Butter a 13- by 9- by 2-inch baking pan, then line bottom of pan with parchment paper and butter parchment.
2) Cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until mixture is light and fluffy, then add peanut butter and beat until incorporated. Beat in whole eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla. Reduce mixer sped to low, then mix in flour until just combined.
3) Mix in peanut butter chips and salted peanuts and then spread batter in baking pan, smoothing top. Batter will be very thick.
4) Bake until bars are deep golden, puffed on top and a wooden pick inserted in center come out clean, about 40 to 45 minutes. Cool completely in pan on a rack, about 1-1/2 hours.
5) To make icing; Put chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl. Bring cream to a boil in a small saucepan, then pour over chocolate chips and let mixture stand for one minute.Gently whisk in butter until it is incorporated, chocolate is melted, and a smooth mixture forms.
6) Spread icing on cooled brownies, sprinkle with chopped peanuts and let stand until set, about 15 minutes. Yield: 16 large brownies.

                    

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