- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 teaspoons milk
- 1 (12 oz.) pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/3 c. half and half
- 1/3 c. creamy peanut butter
- 1 (12 oz.) pkg. miniature peanut butter cups, unwrapped and cut into quarters
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl of an electric stand mixer and beat until light in color. Add the egg and milk and beat to combine. Put the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture, and beat until the mixture pulls away from the side of the bowl.
Press the dough into the bottom of a lightly greased 9x13-inch baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the crust is lightly browned and a little puffy. Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack.
Meanwhile, combine the chocolate chips, half and half, and peanut butter in a large glass measuring cup and microwave for 1 minute on HIGH. Remove from the microwave and stir gently. Return to the microwave and cook in 30 second intervals, stirring after each session, until the mixture is entirely melted and stirred into a homogenous, creamy mixture. Carefully spread this evenly over the warm crust after you've removed it from the oven. Sprinkle the chopped peanut butter crusts over the melted chocolate mixture and allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into small servings. Store any remaining bars covered in the refrigerator.
- Yields: 20-24 servings
- Preparation Time: 30 minutes