CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CANDY BARS

2019 has not been very nice to us in Kansas City so far. It has been weeks of extremely cold temperatures (single digit for the high and windshield temperature -25 or so). Not as much actual snow as usual either but plenty of ice. And what does this mean? Well, one thing it means ... all it seems that we want to do is .... EAT! Guess what I will be doing this spring? 

With this in mind ...  I couldn't resist choosing this recipe to make and take to HPC Thrift Shop for the volunteers.(Hillcrest Platte County) The volunteers were not disappointed either. You won't either if you decide to give it a try. I did mention in the list of ingredients that I bought two the of so-called "King Size" (2.5 oz pkgs) Reese's Mini Peanut Butter Cups (unwrapped). Then I didn't chop the candy. If you use the bigger sized peanut butter cups, you will want to chop them.
 
Click here for a printable version of just the recipe.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CANDY BARS

1     package devil's food or dark chocolate cake mix
1     can (5 ounces) evaporated milk
1/3  cup butter, melted
1/2  cup dry-roasted peanuts
4     packages (1-1/2 ounces each) chocolate peanut butter cups, coarsely chopped (**I used two 2.5 ounce packages Reese's Peanut Butter cups unwrapped mini cups and did not chop them up)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9 x 13 - inch baking pan.

Beat cake mix, evaporated milk, and butter in a large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until

well blended.

Spread two thirds of dough (or however much it takes to cover the whole pan) in prepared pan.

(I always do a little at a time when I do this so that I don't use more than I need to to be able to cover the bottom.)

Sprinkle with peanuts.

Bake 10 minutes;

remove from oven and sprinkle with candy.

Drop the remaining dough by spoonfuls over the candy. (It doesn't look like much dough dropped on top but it does spread as it bakes.)

Bake 15 to 20 more minutes or until center is firm to the touch.

Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

Cut in squares to serve.

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