Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars

Looking for your chocolate fix?  Look no further!  These Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch bars will for sure satisfy your sweet tooth!

Brownie base recipe {great brownies on their own} 

from howsweeteats.com

2-3 squares baking chocolate {I used 3 squares unsweetened Baker's chocolate}

1/2 lb butter

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350.

Melt butter and baking squares in a microwave safe bowl {or on the stove top}. In the mixing bowl {or pour it into your Kitchen Aid}, cream melted butter and chocolate mixture. Add in sugar and vanilla and beat until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add in eggs, beating one at a time. Add flour and stir just until combined.

Pour into greased 9 x 13 baking dish and bake for 20 minutes.

While baking, start working on the middle layer:

1/2 cup chopped salted peanuts

1 cup chopped Reese's peanut butter cups

Pull your brownies out after 20ish minutes of baking, sprinkle chopped nuts and chopped PB cups evenly on top and bake for another 5 minutes.

While your middle layer is baking, work on the top layer {did I mention these are kind of time-consuming?!  But totally worth it}  In a medium saucepan, melt together:

1 1/2 cup chocolate chips

1 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 tablespoon butter

Once melted, add 1 1/2 cup Rice Krispies and stir to combine.  Take your brownies out of the oven and evenly spread your crunchy top layer on them.  Refrigerate for 2 hours, until firm.  Slice with a plastic knife... they are great chilled or room temperature.  Enjoy! 

I'm participating in GET YOUR CHEF ON hosted by Four Marrs & One Venus, and White Lights on Wednesday.  Hop over to see all of the amazing chocolate creations!