Fudgy Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate Bars

 I know; I know. Three dessert recipes this week? What is going on around here?!

This is what happens when my Husband goes out of town. I get whipped into a baking frenzy and the next thing you know sugar, butter and chocolate are flying everywhere.

And there is nothing for dinner.

You know what else happens when Hubs is out of town? Peanut butter and chocolate are combined to my heart’s content! He’s not the biggest fan. I am, however, a HUGE fan! Especially if Reese’s are involved. {Swoon}

On Tuesday I wasn’t really sure what to bake next, so I asked our peanut butter, chocolate, Reese’s loving concierge what to make. At first he said to make these Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies but I told him I had to make something new. Only slightly dismayed, he said, “well, why don’t you turn those cookies into a brownie?”

Why don’t I?

Yeeesssss! Why didn’t I think of that?!

So here we have a peanut butter packed fudgy “brownie” with a milk chocolate ganache on top. Yes. Holy Wow.

These Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate Bars are chewy and absolutely packed with peanut butter flavor! I mixed in some milk chocolate chips and mini Reese’s peanut butter cups, because…well, why not?

And the milk chocolate ganache! Oh my gawd! It’s smooth and creamy and the perfect balance to the peanut butter bar. In fact, I might double it next time for an extra thick topping. No one is here to judge. Tee hee!

So I whipped up these peanut butter milk chocolate bars and then rushed downstairs to make sure the aforementioned concierge got some before he left for the night. {He actually got some BEFORE photos were taken…yes, special. How special? Only a food blogger could understand.}

I held my breath as he took the first bite…

He loved them! He said he wasn’t sure whether the bars or the cookie version is better! {phew}

They are seriously yummy. Too yummy for my own good…

Fudgy Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate Bars

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• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 16 square bars 1x

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Description

These Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate Bars are chewy and absolutely packed with peanut butter flavor! Milk chocolate chips and mini Reese’s are baked inside with a creamy milk chocolate ganache smoothed on top!!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Peanut Butter Bars:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cups + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 large egg + 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup mini Reese’s peanut butter cups
• ½ cup milk chocolate chips {I use Ghirardelli}

For the Milk Chocolate Ganache:

• 2/3 cup milk chocolate chips {Ghirardelli}
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 Tablespoon +1 teaspoon unsalted butter, softened

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Instructions

To Make the Bars:

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl beat together butter and sugar with an electric mixer (I used a hand mixer here for convenience) until light and fluffy. Beat in peanut butter until incorporated.
3. Next add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla until well combined. Reduce the mixer speed to low and slowly add in the flour, mixing only until just combined.
4. Stir in the chocolate chips and Reese’s. Press batter into prepared baking dish (it will be thick) and bake in pre-heated oven until bars are deep golden, puffed on top and a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs still attached, about 45 to 60 minutes.
5. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
6. When the bars are cool, make your ganache topping.

To make the Ganache:

1. Put chocolate chips in a medium, heat proof bowl. Bring cream to a boil in a microwave safe measuring cup in the microwave. Watch it carefully so it doesn’t bubble over. You can also do this in a small saucepan over the stovetop.
2. Pour hot cream over chips and whisk until chocolate is melted. Immediately whisk in the butter until smooth.
3. Pour ganache over bars and spread with an offset spatuala. Let cool until ganache is set. Slice and serve!
4. Bars will keep for 3 days in a sealed container at room temperature.

Notes

The peanut butter bar recipe is adapted from Smitten Kitchen.
The Milk Chocolate Ganache recipe is my own.

You May Also Love these Peanut Butter Recipes:

RoRo’s Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins with Peanut Butter Streusel

Peanut Butter Reese’s Ice Cream Pie in Nutterbutter Crust

Healthy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins

 Reese’s Peanut Butter Blondies with Reese’s PB Icing {YUM}

Peanut Butter Stuffed Double Chocolate Banana Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting