I love peanut butter. so. much. These bars were so satisfying. Don’t tell anyone, but I used left over reese’s cups from Easter. They had a sale after Easter so I bought some. Yeah, I know it was months and months ago, but I tend to hide things and forget about them. It’s my thing.
I love the chocolate/peanut butter layer 0n the bottom and then the plain ol’ delicious peanut butter on top. It’s heaven. The bars are thick, chewy, and oh so satisfying. I’ve been feeling pretty sick lately, but I can still manage a big healthy slice of this peanut butter delight.
Look at that. It’s like a super humongous peanut butter cookie. I dusted it with sugar. Have I ever mentioned that I love the dark crispy edges? I could eat this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Unfortunately, I have to set a good example for my 2-year-old ball of energy. So, while he’s sitting with his back to me eating his carrots and grilled cheese, I’m out in the kitchen nibbling on this. Just kidding.. kind of.
I found this charming pan at a yard sale. I love it. The sides are slightly bent and the bottom is filled with craters. It looks like a pan that was used in a restaurant. It’s heavy duty and has been baked with for many years judging by the color. It was perfect for this bar recipe, but y0u can easily use a stardard cake pan. I suppose it depends on how thick or thin you want your bars to be.
Peanut Butter Reese’s Cup Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 18 mini reese's cups unwrapped
- granulated sugar for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom and lay parchment paper on the bottom of the a 10-inch round pan. For a thinner bar use a 9x13 cake pan.
- In a large bowl, add in butter and peanut butter. Mix on medium until well combined.
- Add in sugars and mix on medium until light and fluffy.
- Add in the eggs and vanilla and mix on low until incorporated.
- Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt together in a separate bowl. Add all to the wet ingredients and mix on low until the dough is formed.
- Divide the dough in half and place one half in the bowl you used to sift your flour in.
- Sift the cocoa powder into the remaining down and mix on low until the cocoa powder is combined. The dough will be a rich brown color.
- Add the chocolate/peanut butter dough to the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Place the miniature reese's cups randomly into the dough and push down slightly.
- Add the remaining peanut butter dough to the pan and flatten out with your palm. Sprinkle sugar on the top of the bar for decoration.
- Place in the oven and bake for 35 or until the bar is brown and done. Turn off oven and let cool in it.
Nutrition
Enjoy the peanut butter reese’s cup bars!
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