Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

You got your chocolate in my peanut butter!  You got your peanut butter in my chocolate!  Remember that commercial? Reese's peanut butter cups.  I love those bad boys!  Well here is an easy, no-bake (yeah, I said no-bake) recipe that tastes a lot like the famous candy.  This is the perfect thing to bring to a pot luck or holiday party because who doesn't love the taste of chocolate and peanut butter?!

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BARS

22 vanilla wafers, ground finely
1 cup creamy peanut butter, divided
1 stick butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips

First off, you need the vanilla wafers ground very finely.  I use a food processor but of you don't have one, put them in a zip bag and beat them with a small pot.  Secondly, let your butter sit out on the counter for about an hour so it can soften up.  Otherwise it will be very difficult to mix into the other ingredients.

In a large bowl, combine ground wafers, 3/4 cup peanut butter, softened butter and powdered sugar.  Use an electric mixer to mix until well blended.  Press onto the bottom of a baking dish until flattened and smooth.  If you want thick bars, use an 8 inch square pan.  If you want thinner bars, use a 9x13 pan.

Melt chocolate chips and 1/4 cup peanut butter in the microwave for 30 seconds.  Stir until smooth.  You may need to microwave another few seconds to get it completely smooth.  Spread over the peanut butter layer.  Refrigerate for 1 hour.  Cut into bars.

These are so good!  But be forewarned, they are addictive!

For a fun variation:  use 1/4 cup Nutella (instead of the extra peanut butter) with the chocolate chips to make the top layer. Hazelnut heaven!

Also, rather than bars you can make cups using pretty mini cupcake liners.  Instead of pressing the dough into a baking dish, roll into little balls and press into lined mini muffin cups, then cover with melted chocolate.  Refrigerate as above.  Cute little nuggets!  Put some in a cellophane bag with a bow and you've got a great gift to give anyone with a sweet tooth!  So, basically anyone.  Merry Christmas!