Peanut Butter Layer Bars

PEANUT BUTTER LAYER BARS

These bars are pretty easy to make. It just takes a few steps but it kind of takes a little time. They are really rich, a little bite goes a long way. These are definitely for the peanut butter lovers.
COOKIE BASE
1 pouch (1lb 1.5oz) peanut butter cookie mix
3 TBSP vegetable oil
1 TBSP water
1 egg
FILLING
1/2 C butter, softened
1/2 C creamy peanut butter
2 C powdered sugar
2 tsp milk
FROSTING
1 C semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 C butter

*Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl mix all cookie base ingredients until soft dough forms. Press dough into bottom of pan using floured fingers. Bake 15 to 18 minuted or until golden brown. Cool completely, about 1 hour. In a small bowl beat all filling ingredients with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. spread mixture evenly over cookie base. In microwaveable bowl combine frosting ingredients and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir until smooth. Cool 10 minutes then spread over filling. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until set.

Just before cooling.

Scotcheroos

SCOTCHEROOS

These are an easy all time favorite.

1 C sugar
1 C light corn syrup
1 1/2 C peanut butter
6 C Rice Krispies cereal
1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 2/3 C butterscotch chips

*Spray 9x13 baking dish with non stick cooking spray, set aside. In a large saucepan combine sugar, corn syrup and peanut butter over medium heat. Stir frequently until smoothly melted. Remove from heat. Add Rice Krispies and stir until thoroughly coated. Press into bottom of prepared dish. In microwave safe bowl combine chocolate chips and butterscotch chips. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir. If necessary, microwave at additional 15 second intervals, stirring just until chips are melted. Spread over cereal mixture. Refrigerate 20-30 minutes or until topping is firm. Cut into bars for serving.

Just before being refrigerated.

I used chunky peanut butter this time, but you can use any peanut butter you like. I couldn't really tell there were nuts in there. I wanted the flavor and crunch of the nuts so the next time I made it with creamy peanut butter, I used 5 1/2 C of cereal and added a cup of peanuts. It turned out ok. They were a little crumbly. I think I prefer the original way better. These are an easy quick treat.

Rice Krispie Treats

RICE KRISPIE TREATS

I know everyone makes Rice Krispie treats. But in my opinion most people make them too dry. I just don't like Rice Krispies when people follow the recipe on the box. Blah. They have to have the right ratios. I think my recipe is the best. For every 1 TBSP of butter, you will need 1 C of marshmallows and 1 C of cereal. From there you can make as much as you want. I did a small square pan this time.

4 TBSP butter
4 C mini marshmallows
4 C Rice Krispies cereal

*In a medium saucepan, melt butter on medium high heat. When butter is melted add marshmallows, stirring constantly until marshmallows are melted and smooth. Remove from heat and add cereal. Mix thoroughly and place into an ungreased baking dish.

I wanted to make them a little festive this time so I threw on some mini m&m's. I have learned from past experience that you can't throw the m&m's in the mix while it's hot and then try to spread it in a pan. The chocolate melts and it's not very pretty. So I put the m&m's on top this time while it was still pretty warm. So the m&m's stuck to the cereal without getting all melted and mushy.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE BARS

Vinnie loves cookie bars and asked that I make him some. I had to improvise a little with these but they turned out pretty good.

1 C butter
1/3 C shortening
1 C granulated sugar
1 C brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 C flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 C semi-sweet chocolate chips

*Preheat oven to 350. In large mixing bowl, combine butter, shortening and sugars. With an electric mixer cream until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla. mix on low until combined. Add dry ingredients and chips. Mix by hand with rubber spatula. Once combined press into ungreased 9x13 baking dish. Bake 25-30 minutes until golden brown all over.

Fresh out of the oven.

I got all the way to the end of baking this and realized I only had a large handful of chocolate chips. While I was looking in my cupboards trying to figure out what to do Malakai grabbed the chocolate chips and downed half of the remaining chocolate chips. I called Vinnie and asked if he wanted m&m's but he didn't. He suggested peanut butter chips instead. I have to admit I was a little skeptical about the peanut butter chips, but it turned out pretty good. I ended up using half chocolate chips and half peanut butter chips.

This recipe easily could have been cut in half, put in a smaller square baking dish and cooked in a shorter amount of time.