Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

By patticakes

Ingredients

• Crust
• 1/2 cup plus 2 TBS unsalted butter
• 2 cups finely ground chocolate cookie crumbs
• Filling
• 1 pound (16 oz) cream cheese
• 2/3 cup sugar
• Beat in
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
• Topping
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3 1/2 oz bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

Preparation

Step 1

Crust
In a medium heavy saucepan over low heat, melt the butter.
Add and stir in the cookie crumbs until combined.
Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9 x 13” pan, using your fingers. Bake on the middle oven rack at 325° for 15 minutes until dry.

Filling
With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar together. Add the eggs and stir until smooth. Stir in the peanut butter. Spread the mixture evenly over the baked crust. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until set. Cool to room temperature.

Bring cream just to a boil
Remove from heat and add the chopped chocolate. Whisk until smooth. Spread evenly over the peanut butter mixture.
Refrigerate until firm. Cut into 1 x 2” bars, wiping knife clean with a damp paper towel as needed to keep the edges clean.