I think the hardest part of this recipe was simply measuring out the peanut butter (warning: a 16.3 oz container does not contain a full 2 cups). That stuff is sticky, man. But if that’s the summit of the challenge, you can see how easy these are going to be to make.
Here’s the assembly: looking totally doable.
First, pulverize the graham crackers until you have 2 cups worth of very fine crumbs. I dumped the crackers into a Ziploc bag and went at them with the heel of my hand.
Very soon, I graduated my efforts to the rolling-pin level.
Much faster that way.
Grab a large mixing bowl and toss in the graham cracker crumbs . . .
. . . powdered sugar . . .
. . . peanut butter . . .
. . . and 3/4 cup of softened butter.
Mix it slowly, because when I tried to speed things up, poofs of powdered sugar exploded from the bowl.
There! The rest of the recipe is easy: just grab handfuls of that mixture as your mood leads and insert into mouth.
Enjoy!
Just kidding.
Instead, press the mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 inch pan (ungreased).
Oh–you already ate it all? Oh. Sorry. I didn’t mean to mislead anyone.
For the rest of you: the mixture will stick somewhat as you press it down. See how it doesn’t want to stay put?
I panicked for about 15 seconds thinking it would never cooperate–but as I started using a combination of the spatula and my index finger to pat it down little by little, everything came together.
Phew! There we go.
And now for the chocolate. In a microwave-safe bowl, mix the chocolate chips and 1/4 cup butter.
Heat for 1 minute in the microwave, then remove the bowl and stir.
If it’s not fully melted (i.e. there are still lumps), put it back in the microwave for 20 seconds and stir again.
Repeat until the chocolate and butter are fully melted and melded together. Spread the chocolate immediately (and quickly) over the layer of peanut butter.
Don’t try to use a spoon like I did–a spatula will make it go much faster.
If at some point in the process your finger looks like this:
I adjure you to follow the voice in your heart. You will know what to do.
Now cool the whole thing in the fridge or the freezer until the chocolate hardens. Cut it into small squares and serve!
Store the bars in the freezer and serve them directly from there–the texture will be perfect (not rock-solid, don’t worry).
Delicious, easy, and the results will put a smile on your face.
Plus, you can always keep a batch in the freezer to whip out when unexpected guests drop by demanding nutrition.
Or when unexpected hunger pangs hit. Your pick.
Enjoy your weekend, peoples! I, for one, will be spending some quality time with my friend Vessie, who is in Chicago on business and is sticking around to play with me for a couple days. I love that girl! Check out some pictures of her from our little photo shoot on the porch last fall. She’s got it all–beauty, smarts, energy, athleticism–and a huge heart!
See you all Monday for more adventures in food, with a little story of unintentional carbonization as an added plus. Or an added minus, depending on your perspective.
Click here for printer-friendly version: No-Bake Peanut Butter Cup Bars
View Comments (25)
Oh, yum! This will be a great hit with our youth at church! :) My friends and my whole family will be going to our first Colonial/Regency ball this weekend at Winston Salem. http://www.theassemblydancers.com/default.html We crammed and did our best to learn 20 new dances...whew, what a work out. Have a great weekend, Jenna!
Very cool, Kay!! I hope you'll be blogging about it, because I'd LOVE to see pictures of you all in costume! Wow, 20 dances--that's intense.
I will say it again [forgive me I am old and have a tendency to repeat myself] but you have the best recipes, but my favorite part is you make them so dang entertaining!
This has "High School Band Banquet" written all over it. [Did I mention I was old. With kids. Yeah, the old part. See? Doing it again.]
Thanks Jenna!
I can't tell whether this no-bake business is a good or a bad thing. Good because it means I can have these in five minutes or less. Bad because it means I can have these in five minutes or less.
Either way. Truly amazing.
This seems SO simple
I MUST try.
Like.....TODAY!
xoxo
bB
http://www.itsybitsybrianna.wordpress.com
Jenna, I don't think there is a more perfect combination than chocolate and peanut butter.
my mouth is watering. when i'm off the low oxalate diet, i'm totally making theses.
Oh yeah, TOTALLY healthy! Peanut butter is a great source of protein. Butter is a healthy fat. And chocolate, um......oh never mind.
Totally making these ASAP.....
Go for the dark chocolate chips! The news keeps putting up stories lately about the benefits of dark chocolate, and for once I'm going to agree with something I saw on television. Because in this case, I WANT to believe it's true! These look great, Jenna. Something about chocolate and peanut butter just makes my heart sing with joy.
Whee! These look awesome! Someone at church makes something like this for us at Christmas, and they are Josh's FAVORITE! And we've never been exactly sure how they were made....but now...oh, my. Like someone else posted, this is very good and very bad news that this knowledge is now in our possession. ;)
I assume you'll be bringing these to an HTC event very soon ;)
Um . . . maybe? =)
it's my turn to bring snacks to our small group next week....now i know what to bring :)