Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie Bars

Here is a snapshot into how my days have been starting lately:

5:40 AM Jordan awakes and goes to the bathroom, which is down the hall from my room. She flips on the light without closing the door, causing my retinas to burst awake from sleep.

5:45 AM She heads back to her room, leaving the light on and the bathroom door open, ceasing all chances for my return to slumber.

5:50 AM She comes to stare at me from my doorway.

5:52 AM I give in and ask why she's up so early. She pulls the "I'm scared" card. I try to give her a hug and send her back to her room but drop the No Wire Hangers! act and let her get into bed with me on strict instruction to BE QUIET and LAY STILL.

6:07 AM I can feel her tenseness, knowing it has been unbelievably hard for her to not move for a whole 15 minutes. I let her snuggle with me.

6:08 AM She kicks me in the shin.

6:09 AM She asks me a question that I answer with a grunt. This answer is not satisfying to her, so she asks again, louder. Process continues.

6:10 AM The music in her head starts to play the Macarena, or so it seems from the dance moves she does up against me while leaning against my back.

6:12 AM She hits me in the face with her elbow.

6:12:36 AM She is released from my bed and allowed to go watch TV. The light in the bathroom is still on.

When I awake to days like these, I need treats. These Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie Bars fit the bill. A rich peanut butter cookie base topped with a chewy chocolate mixture and chopped peanuts. If you like peanut butter and chocolate, these bars are perfect for you.

I have a feeling I'll be making them a lot. Since the time the sun rises doesn't seem to matter to Jordan.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie Bars

Recipe from www.CrazyforCrust.com

Ingredients:

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

2 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate, melted and cooled

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup coarsely chopped peanuts

Directions:

1.       Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 9x9” baking pan with foil and spray with cooking spray. Set aside.

2.       Mix the peanut butter, sugar, and 1 egg in a large bowl by hand. Spread into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 12 minutes. While the crust is baking, make the filling.

3.       In a medium bowl, stir together the melted and cooled chocolate with the sweetened condensed milk. Add remaining egg and vanilla and stir until combined. When crust comes out of the oven, spread chocolate mixture over hot crust. Sprinkle the peanuts evenly on top. Return to oven and bake an additional 20-25 minutes until the top bounces back when you touch it. Cool completely and cut into bars.

Yield: about 18 bars, depending on size.

Enjoy!

This recipe may be linked with:

Monday: Mingle Monday (Add a Pinch), Joy of Desserts. Tuesday: 2 Maids a Baking (2 Maids a Milking), Tea Party Tuesdays (Sweetology). Wednesday: Cast Party Wednesday, Made It On Monday (Lark's Country Heart), This Chick Cooks.  Thursday: Sweet Treats Thursday (Something Swanky), Chic-and-Crafty (Frugal Girls), Turning the Table Thursdays (Around My Family Table), Tasty Thursday (The How-To Mommy). Friday: Sweet Tooth Friday (Alli-n-son), I'm Lovin' it Fridays (TidyMom), Friday Favorites (Simply Sweet Home). Saturday: Sweets for a Saturday (Sweet as Sugar Cookies), Seasonal Inspiration (Crumbs and Chaos). Sunday: A Well-Seasoned Life,Sharing Sundays (Everyday Sisters)