Peanut Butter Brownies

Today was Jordan's first day of second grade. I got a little sad. And then I realized something.

She's gone! At school all day! I kinda felt like that lady in the empty-nester commercial, the one who redecorated her kid's room as soon as he left for college?

It's amazing the difference that happens to a kid between kindergarten and second grade. Ginormous difference between then and now. And I know she's only going to grow up even more in the next few months.

She'll probably think she's ready for her driver's license by the time she ends second grade.

And she's still super excited still about her braces. She made sure to seek out her old teachers, her principal, and parents of several friends to show them her NEW BRACES! and NEW EARRINGS!

{Shy my child is not.}

So, what did I do to celebrate today?

Remember last year? How a bunch of us moms started walking after drop off? We kicked it off again today.

My friend told me it was "about an hour walk."

We did over seven miles. SEVEN.

So I'm not sure if my friend is a friend or if she's out to kill me? The jury is still out on that one.

After I walked SEVEN miles this morning I think I deserve a treat.

And luckily, unlike most of the treats I share with you, I still have some of these babies in my freezer.

I was going to take them to school this week.

They might not make it.

Remember those Very Vanilla Bars I made you a few months ago? You know, the ones for that unmentionable party? Well, they were actually called Very Vanilla Brownies...a fact I realized I messed up on only after photo editing. Anyway, they were made with white chocolate chips.

As I stood at the stove making them, my mind wandered and I began to wonder if I could make them with other kinds of chips. Like peanut butter chips.

You know, make Peanut Butter Brownies.

Sometimes I astound even myself.

Because these are amazing.

Of course, I had to do more than make brownies with frosting. I added a crust.

Because I'm me.

Pretzel crust. Peanut Butter Brownies. And Peanut Butter Frosting (which totally makes them; do not skimp on the frosting!)

You could add chocolate. I almost did. But this way the peanut butter is the total star. She doesn't have to share the limelight with her pesky BFF, chocolate, throwing her perfect hair around or strutting her stuff in her milk chocolate stilettos.

Nope, peanut butter is the star here.

~Read More~

Monster Magic 7-Layer Bars

Let's talk Summer for a min, shall we?

I really love the lazier days of the school's out season. No making lunch at night. No homework. No rushing in the morning. Being able to go on a day trip on a whim. Swimming and the general do-whatever-you-want attitude. I can even handle the heat, because I know that it only lasts a few months. Plus, there's A/C. So pretty much, summer is all great.

Except for the dishes.

And the clutter.

And oh my god the attitude.

Let me explain.

About a week ago I found myself with a full dishwasher for the second time in two days. I was confused.

Then I looked at the kitchen table, where there sat a juice glass, a plate, a bowl, and empty string cheese wrapper, and a wadded up napkin from lunch three hours before.

Beyond the dishes, into the family room, Jordan sat, on the couch, headphones on, using the iPad. Around her was a tornado of pillows and blankets, all strewn around the floor because these items are not allowed to share her air, obvi.

On the coffee table was a full art kit, open, with pens all over the table, paper spread out to every corner. When I looked behind the couch I noticed an upended bottle of glue sitting on the carpet and scissors strewn about.

And I had an epiphany.

Summer is work. It's 24 hours a day, all day, every day, seven days a week for two and a half months.

Or, 35 runs of the dishwasher.

And my sanity.

To calm myself, I made you some 7-layer bars. But not just any 7-layer bars. Magical monster ones.

Last week, Heather, at French Press made Peanut Butter and Chocolate 7-layer Bars. The second I saw that post, and I mean the second, I knew had to make these. I dreamed about them all night long, got up, and made them at 7am the next day.

{And...I was probably channeling Ashton who made these awhile ago...}

I had Nutter Butters in my pantry (are you surprised?) I had earmarked them for another recipe, but, I kid you not, Shelly at Cookies & Cups made almost the exact recipe I had been planning. So I wanted to find a new use for my favorite cookie.

That's layer one: a Nutter Butter crust. Layers two through seven include chocolate and peanut butter chips, nuts, pretzels, M&Ms, and, of course, the best thing in the entire world, sweetened condensed milk.

These are very rich bars. You can eat more than one, but you may want to pace yourself. Believe me, I know. Serve them up with a glass of milk.

With a side of sanity and a dash of prayer that school starts soon.

~Read More~

Peanut Butter Toffee Bars

You know what song I'm really into right now?

"Sexy and I Know" it by LMFAO. It's so wrong it's right, know what I mean?

Whenever I hear it I want to do one of two things: dance or drive fast.

Especially when he gets to the part "wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle..."

When he says that, I usually do.

Know who else really likes that song?

Jordan.

Yes, I know. Just stamp "mother of the year" on my forehead. But I have an excuse as to why she listens to pop stations in the car with me.

For one, I don't have a fancy-shmancy radio in my car that plays "Tween Toons" or "From the Playground." Just the old fashioned kind, the one you tune to regular radio stations.

Also, if I had to listen to Disney and KidzBop music constantly while driving, my head might explode. That wouldn't be good for anyone, least of all for my passengers.

But don't worry. I made sure she knew that it was only a song we sing at home, in the house, without other people.

Of course, I didn't think to mention that until after she treated everyone in Joann's Fabrics to her at the top-of-her-lungs rendition of "I'm sexy and I know it...yeah....I'm sexy and I know it..."  Complete with hip wiggle.

Yes, yes, I know. Mother of the year times two.

But can I be put back in your good-graces by giving your peanut buttery chocolaty toffee bites of goodness?

Peanut butter cookie crust, melted chocolate chips and toffee chips. All in one bite. Eating a bunch of these will make me sexy.

And I know it.

Peanut Butter Toffee Bars

Recipe from Family Fun Magazine

Ingredients:

½ cup butter, softened

½ cup peanut butter

¾ cup packed brown sugar

1 large egg yolk

1 ½ cups flour

½ cup quick oats

¼ teaspoon salt

3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup toffee bits (baking pieces)

Directions:

1.       Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 9x13” baking dish with foil and spray with cooking spray.

2.       Beat butter, sugar, peanut butter, and egg yolk on medium-high speed in an electric mixer until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the flour, oats, and salt and beat on low until just combined.

3.       Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake 15-20 minutes until the top is golden. (Be careful not to over bake!)

4.       Remove the pan from the oven and scatter the chocolate chips evenly over crust. Place pan back in oven for 1 minute. Remove the pan and spread the melting chocolate chips evenly with an offset spatula. Sprinkle the toffee bits evenly over the top and gently press them into place.

5.       Set on a rack to cool until the chocolate has hardened, at least 2 hours. Remove from pan using foil. Cut into squares while room temperature. Store in the refrigerator for maximum freshness. (Bars can also be frozen for later use.)

Yield: about 30 bars, depending on size.

{Note: there is a printer-friendly link in the footer of the post.}

This recipe may be linked with:

Monday: Mingle Monday (Add a Pinch), Joy of Desserts, Creative Monday (Clairejustineoxox), Mix it Up Monday (Flour Me With Love). Tuesday: 2 Maids a Baking (2 Maids a Milking), Tea Party Tuesdays (Sweetology), Mushki Loves My Stuff (Mushki Loves), Totally Tasty Tuesdays (Mandy's Recipe Box), Talent Show Tuesday (Chef in Training), Trick or Treat Tuesday (Inside BruCrew Life). Wednesday: Mrs. Fox's Sweet Party (Mrs. Fox's Sweets) Made It On Monday (Lark's Country Heart), This Chick Cooks, Cast Party Wednesday (Lady Behind the Curtain).  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), Tastetastic Thursday (A little nosh), Sweet Temptations (Talking Dollars and Cents), Taking a Timeout Thursday (Mom on Timeout), Thriving on Thursdays (Domesblissity). Friday: Sweet Tooth Friday (Alli-n-son), I'm Lovin' it Fridays (TidyMom), Friday Favorites (Simply Sweet Home), Latest & Greatest Friday (Days of Chalk and Chocolate), Bacon Time, Fusion Friday (Jane Deere Blog). Saturday: Sweets for a Saturday (Sweet as Sugar Cookies), Seasonal Inspiration (Crumbs and Chaos). Sunday: A Well-Seasoned Life,Sharing Sundays (Everyday Sisters), Strut your Stuff Saturday (Six Sisters' Stuff), Moms Crazy Cooking

Almond Toffee Bars

As a food blogger I rarely make the same thing more than once. Am I alone in this?

I can't post chocolate chip cookies over and over, can I? Unless it's a new version of a chocolate chip cookie...but then that wouldn't be making the same thing, would it?

It would be like breaking some sort of blogger law. At least that's what I tell myself anyway, so I can be okay with making new things and not repeating recipes.

There are very few things I make over and over again. These bars are one of them.

I make them every year for Christmas. They have a crust, need I say more? And not just any crust...a shortbread crust. And almonds, my favorite nut. And toffee. And sweetened condensed milk.

Are you drooling yet? I am.

Unfortunately I made these for a potluck at school. Which means I didn't eat any. So maybe I'll have to make them again.

They are good straight from the freezer, not that I'd know anything about that.

And they're good if you try to thaw them in the microwave. (Shhhh....please keep my secret.)

Wow, okay. I need to stop looking at these pictures. This coffee and pack of pop tarts next to me is so not doing it for me right now. See what I go through for you people? :)

Only one week left in the 12 weeks of cookies...

Almond Toffee Bars

Recipe adapted from Land o’ Lakes

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups flour

½ cup powdered sugar

6 ounces sliced almonds (1 package)

1 cup cold butter

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 (8-ounce) package milk chocolate toffee bits

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:

1.       Preheat oven to 350°. Combine flour, sugar, and ¼ cup of almonds in a medium bowl. Cut in butter (I use a pastry cutter) until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Line a 9x13” baking pan with foil and spray with cooking spray. Press butter mixture into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 15 minutes.

2.       Stir sweetened condensed milk, toffee bits, egg, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Pour over hot, partially baked crust. Top with remaining almonds and continue baking 23-27 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely and cut into squares.

Yield: 36 bars

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), Mushki Loves My Stuff (Mushki Loves), Totally Tasty Tuesdays (Mandy's Recipe Box), Talent Show Tuesday (Chef in Training). Wednesday: Mrs. Fox's Sweet Party (Mrs. Fox's Sweets) 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), Tastetastic Thursday (A little nosh), Sweet Temptations (Talking Dollars and Cents). Friday: Sweet Tooth Friday (Alli-n-son), I'm Lovin' it Fridays (TidyMom), Friday Favorites (Simply Sweet Home), Latest & Greatest Friday (Days of Chalk and Chocolate). Saturday: Sweets for a Saturday (Sweet as Sugar Cookies), Seasonal Inspiration (Crumbs and Chaos). Sunday: A Well-Seasoned Life,Sharing Sundays (Everyday Sisters), Strut your Stuff Saturday (Six Sisters' Stuff), Moms Crazy Cooking

Apple Toffee Bars {with Brown Sugar Frosting}

There are approximately 750 light switches in my house.

(Okay, I may be exaggerating a little. I haven't had a chance to count them all, so I was just guessing.)

So, there are plenty of switches. But the problem I'm having is where they were placed. I'm not an architect or a fancy electrical switch placement designer or anything, but I do have common sense.

And the fancy electrical switch placement designer that did our house must have been having an off day.

Our staircase is in the middle of the house; you can walk around it. When you come in the front door and go left, you get to the dining room and then the kitchen. If you go right, you go to the family room and then the kitchen.

We never go left. Why not? Because all the light switches for the kitchen are in the family room. So if it's dark and I forget I have to walk through the kitchen to get to the lights.

But if I'm in the laundry room, a room that is no bigger than the span of my arms, there are two light switches for the overhead light. So I can, in theory, stretch out my arms and turn the light on with my right and off with my left at the same time.

I chuckle every time I go in there. It's like a fun party game. That and sliding down the stairs in a plastic bin, which I have yet to do but I really, really want too.

Until I get up the nerve to do that, I'll just stuff my face with these babies. These Apple Toffee Bars are sort of like a cookie, but in bar form. With frosting. Brown sugar frosting. And toffee. Oh, and apple, of course. Sinfully sweet, and healthy enough for breakfast because there is fruit in them. Right?

Apple Toffee Bars {with Brown Sugar Frosting}

Adapted from Sweet Pea’s Kitchen

Ingredients:

For the bars:

1 pouch (17.5 ounces) sugar cookie mix

1 egg

1 stick of butter, softened

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ cup toffee bits (Bit o’ Brickle)

1 cup (1 large or 2 small) apples, peeled, cored, and chopped finely

For the Frosting:

¼ cup butter

½ cup brown sugar

2 tablespoon milk

1 cup powdered sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1.       Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 9x9 inch pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.

2.       Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat sugar cookie mix, egg, butter, and cinnamon until fluffy. Stir in toffee bits and apples. Press into prepared pan and bake 35-40 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool completely before making frosting.

3.       To make the frosting, add butter, milk, and brown sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Cool slightly and stir in powdered sugar and vanilla.

4.       Remove foil from the bottom of the cookie bars. Pour frosting over the top of the bars, smoothing out to the edges. The top of the frosting will dry quickly. Let set before cutting into bars, about 30 minutes to one hour.

Yield: about 20 bars

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), Mushki Loves My Stuff (Mushki Loves), Totally Tasty Tuesdays (Mandy's Recipe Box), Talent Show Tuesday (Chef in Training). 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), Tastetastic Thursday (A little nosh). 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), Strut your Stuff Saturday (Six Sisters' Stuff)

Snickerdoodle Bars (12 weeks of Christmas Cookies)

I love watching television. It's one of my favorite pastimes. It's one of the reasons I love the Fall so much: new shows. While my husband makes his Fantasy Football spreadsheets, I make my TV show grid. (Hey, a DVR can only tape two things at once!)

Of course the TV comedies (Modern Family, anyone?) and dramas (Grey's Anataomy!) are my favorites, but I also love reality TV. I think I love the Housewives so much because it's brainless TV. I can watch for five minutes and then pick it up again a day later without missing a beat. But when it comes to reality TV, I especially love the competition shows: Project Runway, Top Chef, Amazing Race, and Survivor.

Which brings me to the point of this rambling.

I also enjoy Twitter. Evenings seems to be a huge time for tweeting, so I like to tweet and read and share things then. So I'd like to do a little PSA to the celebrities out there who are on reality shows, especially competition ones.

8:00 pm Eastern time is NOT 8:00 pm Pacific time. When it's 8:00 in New York, where y'all live, it's actually on 5:00 pm here in California. Which means that when you, Jeff Probst or other reality competition host, are tweeting which tribe lost and is at tribal council, I have not seen the show yet. And knowing before watching who gets voted off (or is out or who packed their knives) kind of ruins the whole thing.

So now, while trying to figure out how to tape The Real Housewives, Amazing Race, and Sunday Night Football all at the same time, I also have to make sure I don't go on Twitter.

It's a good thing I can bake. Gives me something to do during these situations.

If you need something to do next time you're avoiding social media and your TV, try giving these Snickerdoodle bars a try. I made them for a potluck and they were all gone when I went to clean up the dishes. Only crumbs were left, which is the best compliment for a baker. They are full of cinnamon and topped with a sweet glaze. Snickerdoodles without all the work!

Snickerdoodle Bars

Recipe from Betty Crocker

Printed from www.CrazyforCrust.com

Ingredients:

For the Bars:

2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

¾ cup butter, softened

1 ¼ cups sugar

½ cup brown sugar, packed

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

For the Cinnamon Filling:

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon cinnamon

For the Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons milk

¼ teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1.       Preheat oven to 350°. Line the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.  Set aside.

2.       Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl and set aside.

3.       Beat butter with a stand or hand mixer until creamy. Add sugars and beat until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well in between each addition. Mix in vanilla. Add dry ingredients and beat on low speed until combined.

4.       Spoon half the batter into the prepared pan. Spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray and press into bottom of pan (it will be thin).

5.       Make the cinnamon filling by mixing the 1 tablespoon sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle over batter.

6.       Spoon the rest of the batter in teaspoon sized amounts on top of the cinnamon sugar mixture. Bake 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

7.       Make the glaze: mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a small bowl. Drizzle over top of bars. Let sit until the glaze sets, about a half hour. Cut into bars.

Yield: 24 bars

What shows are you excited about this season?

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), Mushki Loves My Stuff (Mushki Loves), Totally Tasty Tuesdays (Mandy's Recipe Box), Talent Show Tuesday (Chef in Training). 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), Fall Crawl (The Artsy Girl Connection), Fall Craft Challenge (One Artsy Mama)

Sugar Cookie Bars

Christmas is my cookie holiday. Every holiday seems to have its own kind of treats: candy for Halloween and Valentine's Day, pie for Thanksgiving. But Christmas? Christmas is a cookie holiday. I often think if I look up the definition of Christmas in the dictionary it would look something like this:

Christmas n. 1. Jesus' birthday in the Christian faith 2. A time to spend with family 3. The day to eat cookies.

Every Christmas I make sugar cookies with a sugary, buttery cookie frosting. They are the kind of cookies that, if eaten in excess, require the use of Rolaids. These, by far, are my favorite cookies of the season. I make them on Christmas Eve and look forward to eating them for days after the festivities are over.

My step-father-in-law, Mark, also loves these cookies. The first few years we celebrated with him I spent Christmas eyeing his trips to the cookie platter. Then I started making him his own basket of sugar cookies.  It's part of his present. Now, because I know he loves them so much, I make them for him on other holidays too.

That's where these cookie bars come in. I've made the cutout sugar cookies for Mark's birthday the past few years. This year there was so much going on around his special day that I didn't have time to roll, cut, and frost a bunch of cookies. Right about the time I was thinking how I was going to fit it all in, I saw this post and a lightbulb went off in my head. I could use the same recipe I always do but make them into bars. Brilliant!

This is one of those oh-so-simple modifications that I know come Christmas Eve, when I'm doing a million other things, I'm going to want to do again. The bars are thick and sweet and so easy to make. Jordan chose the frosting color, not caring that they were a gift for a boy.

When you need a quick and yummy treat, make bar sugar cookies. (And then, if you're like me and can't control yourself, head to the drugstore and stock up on antacid.)

Bar Sugar Cookies

Recipe Source: Land o’ Lakes

Printed at www.CrazyforCrust.com

Ingredients:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 ¼ cups powdered sugar

1 cup butter, softened

1 egg

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1.       Preheat oven to 375°.  Line a 9x13” baking pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

2.       Combine all ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer (or in a large bowl if using hand mixer). Beat at medium speed, scraping the sides as needed, until well mixed (about 3-4 minutes).

3.       Spread dough into the bottom of the 9x13” baking pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until they just start to brown. Cool completely before frosting.

For the Frosting

Ingredients:

4 cups powdered sugar

½ cup butter, softened

2 teaspoons vanilla

3 to 4 tablespoons milk

Food color, if desired

Directions:

Combine powdered sugar, ½ cup butter, and vanilla in a large bowl. Mix slowly with a hand mixer, adding enough milk for desired consistency. Add food coloring if you want tinted frosting. Spread over cooled cookie bars and decorate with sprinkles, if desired. Cut into squares.

Yield: approximately 24 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)

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)