It’s that weird time when I’m not sure if it’s too late for summer desserts or too early for fall desserts, or maybe a little bit of both. It’s 95 degrees out every other day, but the calendar says September and Trader Joes is all of the sudden selling these cute skeleton air plants that scream Halloween. Making s’mores cookies and peach crumble seems a little off, but I don’t think I’m ready to make the deep dive into all-pumpkin-everything just yet (soon, though. Very soon.) So when you’re not sure what to bake, what else is there to do than to make something quick and easy that you always happen to have the ingredients for? If you’re anything like me, and Reese’s Pieces and Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips are a household staple, then I guarantee you that you’ll have everything else you need to make these cookie bars. I like this recipe because it’s so easy, the measurements are basically just one of everything… one stick of butter, one egg, one cup of sugar, you get the idea (besides the 1/2 cup of PB, but close enough). These cookie bars are so good right out of the oven, that you might not even be able to wait for them to cool before digging in to chocolate peanut butter heaven. Feel free to mix up the peanut butter mix-in’s; I’ve made these bars with Mini Reese’s Cups too. You can’t really go wrong with anything you throw in and/or on these cookie bars. I should know, I’ve had about 7 of them in the past three days.
Reese's Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
Ingredients
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick, melted
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (and more for sprinkling on top)
- 2/3 cup Reese's Pieces (and more for sprinkling on top)
- 2/3 cup Reese's Peanut Butter Chips (and more for sprinkling on top)
Instructions
INSTRUCTIONS
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Preheat oven to 350° F. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
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In a large, microwave-safe bowl melt the butter, about 1 minute on high power.
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Wait momentarily before adding the egg so you don’t scramble it. Add the peanut butter, egg, brown sugar, vanilla, and whisk until smooth.
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Add the flour and stir until just combined, don’t overmix.
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Stir in chocolate chips, Reese's Pieces and Reese's Peanut Butter Chips.
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Pour batter out into prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula.
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Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until done. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean, or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter. Sprinkle evenly with additional chocolate chips, Reese's Pieces and Peanut Butter Chips. Allow bars to cool in pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.