Peanut Butter Chocolate Pretzel Bars

As soon as I saw the recipe for these bars, I knew I wanted to try them. They reminded me of my favorite Christmas-time treat, chocolate peanut butter caramel pretzels. When I was visiting family over Labor Day, I used them as the guinea pigs for this recipe. And I also got assistance from my nephew - what fun! (Everyone liked these bars, especially the kids, who ate the chocolate topping off first, every time!)

Start by making the crust. Finely chop the pretzels in a food processor. If you don't have one, you can just put the pretzels in a zip top bag and crush them with a rolling pin or other implement. Combine the chopped pretzels



with the melted butter



and sugar. Stir well to coat all the pretzels then press the crust into a greased 8-inch baking dish.



Bake the crust for 10 minutes and then let it cool. To make the peanut butter layer, combine the peanut butter, butter, brown sugar and powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl. (Note my trusty assistant, stirring away!)



Mix at medium speed until the mixture is completely smooth.



Press the peanut butter mixture over the pretzel crust. You'll need to use your fingers!



Don't forget to lick the spatula!



Put the bars in the fridge to firm up a bit while you make the chocolate topping. For the topping, pour the milk chocolate chips and the semi sweet chocolate chips



into a large measuring cup. Add the butter, and microwave on medium power for 1 minute. Stir, then microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring between each, until the chocolate is melted. Stir until smooth. Then pour over the peanut butter layer.



Use a spatula to spread the chocolate to the edges.



Refrigerate the bars for at least an hour, or overnight, to firm up. You'll want to cut these in small pieces; they are very rich!

One year ago: Chicken Alfredo Pizza
Two years ago: Shrimp Risotto

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Peanut Butter Chocolate Pretzel Bars

Crust:
1 3/4 cup Pretzel Crumbs
6 Tbsp. Butter
3 Tbsp. sugar

Peanut Butter Layer:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 2/3 cup powdered sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup butter

Chocolate Layer:
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 Tbsp. butter

In a food processor grind pretzels until they are fine crumbs. (Or place the whole pretzels in a large zip top bag and crush with a rolling pin.) In a bowl combine the pretzel crumbs, melted butter and sugar. Press pretzel mixture into a greased 8" baking dish until evenly distributed.

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove and set aside to cool.

For the second layer, combine brown sugar, powdered sugar, peanut butter and butter in a large bowl. Mix with an electric mixer until smooth. Spoon the peanut butter mixture over the pretzel crust. Spread peanut butter evenly over the crust - you can use a spoon or your fingers. Place in fridge to cool while you prepare the chocolate layer.

For the topping, in a large microwavable bowl (or large measuring cup) combine chocolate chips (2 kinds!) and butter. Microwave 1 minute then stir. Repeat at 30 second intervals until chocolate is melted.

Pour chocolate over the peanut butter layer then use a spatula to spread the chocolate evenly over the peanut butter layer. Replace back in the fridge for 1 hour or more until chocolate is set. Makes 20 bars.