Candy-Topped Creamy Peanut Butter Bars

Kaarin's Note:

My homemade version of a pillsbury recipe given to me by my cousin. A 3 layer bar; it's very rich and decadent but still hard to eat just one.

• Total Time: 55 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 24

1st Layer

• ½ cup shortening
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• ¾ teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

2nd Layer

• ½ cup butter , softened
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 cup salted peanuts

3rd Layer

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ¼ cup butter
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup miniature M&M's chocolate candies

Directions:

1. First layer-Cream the shortening and sugars; add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Bake in a greased 9x13 pan for 20 minutes at 350 degrees, until light golden brown. Cool completely.
2. Second layer-Combine the butter, peanut butter, powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Stir in the peanuts and spread over the first layer.
3. Third layer-Melt the chocolate chips and butter in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Cool 10 minutes, then stir in the cream. Carefully spread over the second layer and sprinkle with candies.
4. Refrigerate about an hour, until chocolate is set, before cutting.

Reviews

[BrittP]

These were delicious! Very rich, though. I had to add some milk to the dough of the first layer to get it to a consistency to spread it and instead of a third layer, I just melted some chocolate chips with some shortening and milk and drizzled them on top. Definitely a repeat recipe!