CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER SQUARES

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER SQUARES image

Number Of Ingredients 14

Crust:
22 Nabisco chocolate wafers, finely crushed (about 1 2/3 c)
1/4 c sugar
3 T butter, softened
2 T creamy peanut butter
Filling:
6 T dark brown sugar
2 c confectioners' sugar
6 T butter, softened
1 1/3 c creamy peanut butter
pinch of salt
Ganache:
11.5 oz chocolate chips
6 T heavy cream

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375. Spray 9" pan with nonstick cooking spray. Crust: Combine the chocolate wafers, sugar, butter and peanut butter in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until mixed. Press mixture firmly into prepared pan. Bake for 8 minutes and cool completely. Filling: Combine all of the filling ingredients together and mix at low speed until just combined. Do not whip. Set the bowl in refrigerator while you prepare the rest. Ganache: Combine chips and cream in bowl and cook in microwave for 1 minute. Stir and continue cooking at 15-30 second intervals until smooth and melted. Constructing: Spread 1/4 c of the chocolate mixture evenly over the cooled crust; place pan in freezer until chocolate is set, 5-10 minutes. Spread the peanut butter mixture into even layer over the chocolate. Give the ganache a quick stir to smooth any lumps then spread it evenly over the top of the peanut butter layer. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 1 hour to set. When firm, use a sharp knife to cut into squares. Run an offset spatula underneath the bars to release the crust so it doesn't crumble. Keep refrigerated and serve cold.