No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

I'm sure you've all had no-bake peanut butter bars.  You also probably have all of the ingredients in your kitchen to make these right now!  Although I've tried these bars many times, this was actually my first time making them!  This was item #2 to sell out at the bake sale, which is no surprise since we can all agree on the fact that PB and chocolate is the best dessert combo!  

 

No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
Yields:  16 squares
Source:  adapted from Pink Cake Plate

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, melted (1 stick)

1 cup graham cracker crumbs (approximately one (1) sleeve of graham crackers)

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup peanut butter

3/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips

2 tablespoons peanut butter
Garnish with 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, if desired

Directions

Line an 8x8 inch pan with foil.  Leave edges hanging over the side for easy removal of the bars!

In a medium bowl, mix together the butter, graham cracker crumbs, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract and 1/2 cup peanut butter until well blended. Press evenly into the bottom pan.  Refrigerate peanut butter base while preparing chocolate mixture.

In a metal bowl over simmering water, or in the microwave, melt the chocolate chips with the peanut butter, stirring occasionally until smooth. Spread evenly over the peanut butter layer.  Immediately top with semi-sweet chocolate chips, if desired.  Refrigerate bars until chocolate sets.  Using a sharp knife, cut bars into squares.