Chocolate Peanut Fudge Bars (Midwest)

Brenda.'s Note:

I got this recipe from the inside of the cream cheese carton- Yum! I do recommend doubling the chocolate cookie crumbs as some reviewers have noted it doesn't cover the bottom of the pan very well with only 2 cups.

• Total Time: 4 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 4 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 24

Crust

• 2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs
• ½ cup butter , melted

Filling

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese , softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons milk

Topping

• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup peanuts , coarsely chopped

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl combine the crust ingredients, mix well.
2. Press firmly into the bottom of a 9x13 pan.
3. Refrigerate crust for 20-30 minutes.
4. In another medium bowl, combine filling ingredients, and blend at low speed for 30 seconds, and then on medium high speed 2 minutes or until light and fluffy.
5. Spread over crust.
6. In a medium saucepan, melt chocolate chips over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. (You can also microwave the chips at 30 second intervals, stirring between each interval until smooth).
7. Stir in peanut butter, blend well. (If using microwave method, you might want to microwave for 30 seconds to melt the peanut butter a bit after adding it to the chocolate).
8. Stir in peanuts.
9. Spread over filling.
10. Refrigerate at least 4 hours, store leftovers in the refrigerator as well.

Reviews

[Margie99]

I made this without the chopped peanuts. It was a hit. The only problem we had was the topping was hard and the second layer was so soft that whenever we cut into them, filling squished out. I would like it with a softer chocolate layer. I also used another 1/2 recipe of the bottom layer.

[Roxanne J.R.]

This dessert is so easy to put together and the end result is extremely delicious! I got to say though, I found that the peanut butter flavour was all I could taste. I think the topping would have been fine without the additional pb in it because I had a piece of the bar without the chocolate topping included and the choc/pb combo was perfect! and I did not double the crust. I will definitely be making these bars again in the near future because they were so easy, rich, delicious, man I can't find words to describe them otherwise. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe.

[Mom2Rose]

Best of 2008 tag: This is a decadent and rich treat!! I made these for a ladies night "in" and they were a hit!! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!