That Time I Made Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars...

I found this recipe a long while ago when I used to follow a bunch of recipe blogs on Facebook. Turned out that was bad for my diet because I became hungry every time I scrolled through my feed. But I made a version of this recipe, loved it, and modified it because I didn't have enough peanut butter for the original recipe. I think I like this one better. 

This recipe is great for using up graham crackers you have left over from making s'mores. I know I never use a whole box each summer and I doubt you do either. Also this is the only no-bake recipe I've ever seen that doesn't use oats. 

Note: the meringue powder is optional. It's used to make make the bars stackable as the bottoms are otherwise very sticky. If you do want it, you can find it in huge large quantities in supermarkets, or in normal quantities in a craft store. 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

1 cup unsalted butter
1/2 tsp salt
2 c graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 c powdered sugar
1/2 c peanut butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 c (1 bag) chocolate chips
4 TBSP meringue powder, divided

Directions...

1) Melt chocolate in microwave for about 2 minutes at 50% power, stirring after one minute.

2) Reserve about 1/4 c of melted chocolate.

3) Line baking pan with parchment and spread remaining chocolate evenly over the bottom of the pan.

4) Chill chocolate in refrigerator to harden. 

5) Combine all dry ingredients (2 TBSP of meringue) in a bowl.

6) Melt the butter in microwave.

7) Mix all wet ingredients into dry ingredients.

 8) Spread mixture over hardened chocolate.

9) Return pan to refrigerator for at least one hour.

10) Remove pan from refrigerator and dust the surface with remaining meringue powder - this will harden the surface so you can stack your bars.

11) Let it sit out, uncovered for two hours. This will allow the surface to harden, aka not-be-sticky. Then turn out onto a cutting board (hold a cutting board against the pan and flip).

12) Remove the parchment paper and cut bars into squares. It may be easier to cut them if you flip it over again before cutting. Or maybe flip-and-cut before removing the parchment? I don't know. I never tried.

13) The bars are actually meant to be served chocolate side up - enjoy!