PEANUT BUTTER BARS

Once again I found a definite winner to bake and take to Hillcrest Thrift Shop Tuesday! It was not just an awesome blend of chocolate and peanut butter, it was so easy. I whipped it up and put it in the oven while I was cooking dinner. I had time to make the frosting and ice them before I went to bed. (My husband even enjoyed a piece that night.) The volunteers really enjoyed them, too.

I repeatedly find myself going back to Lia Wilson's Quick Fixes with Mixes cookbook when I want to find something fast and easy and delicious. She didn't disappoint me either. Fortunately I had a German chocolate cake mix on hand, too.

PEANUT BUTTER BARS

1          German chocolate cake mix
1/2      cup packed brown sugar
1          egg
1/4      cup milk
2         tablespoons butter or margarine
1/2      cup peanut butter

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9 x 13 - inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, sugar, egg, and milk. (I did use my electric mixer.)

Melt butter with peanut butter on low stirring constantly once the butter starts melting.

Add the butter/peanut butter mixture to cake mix ingredients. Beat on low speed just enough to blend the mixture. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.

Press the thick mixture in bottom of the pan. (Drop spoonfuls around bottom and then spread them together to cover the bottom. If you leave a little in the bowl, you can add it at the end where you need it.)

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until cake tester comes out clean. (I had to cook mine the full 30 minutes.)


Cool complete on wire rack. 

Then frost with Peanut Butter Frosting.

Cut into 24 squares when ready to serve.

PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING

2       tablespoons butter or margarine
2       tablespoons creamy peanut butter
3       tablespoons light corn syrup
1        teaspoon vanilla
1        cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4    cup powdered sugar (I did sift mine.)

Heat butter, peanut butter, corn syrup, and vanilla in a small saucepan over low heat stirring frequently until mixture is smooth.

Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips.

Beat with spoon until chocolate is melted and

mixture is smooth.

Add powdered sugar and blend well.