Peanut butter + chocolate = perfection

To say we’re ‘peanut butter obsessed‘ in our house is putting it mildly.

Between smoothies, baked goods, spreads and spoonfuls straight from the jar, we go through Costco-sized tubs of the stuff like there’s no tomorrow.

Yup, another one bites the dust

So when I ran across this recipe from Jen of Peanut Butter Runner, I knew it’d be an instant hit.

Not only does it have a fairly simple ingredient list, but these bars have a perfect balance of crispy outside and chewy inside that just hits the spot.

The only problem is that they seem to disappear the moment you set them out on the counter…

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars 

(Recipe source: Peanut Butter Runner)

Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon sea salt (I used coarse Kosher salt and upped the amount to ~3/4 tsp)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and lightly grease an 8 x 8 pan. (I used a round cake pan for thicker bars)
2. Mix together flour, salt and baking powder. Set aside.
3. Using mixer, cream butter and peanut butter together on medium speed until smooth.
4. Beat in the sugars until mixture is lightened in color and fluffy.
5. Add the eggs, one at a time, and then the vanilla, scraping down the bowl after each addition.
6. Reduce mixer to low speed and slowly add in the flour mixture. Add the chocolate chips, stirring until combined.
7. Spread batter into pan, and bake for about 30-35 minutes or until done. (Center sets and edges begin to brown)
8. Cool completely before cutting.

(Note that recipe can easily be doubled for a 13×9, but be sure to increase baking time.)