Chewy Peanut Bars

By MaryEllen

February 2016
RECIPE BY Southern Living
We weren't exactly excited to test our old microwave column recipes again, but these chocolate-peanut blondies truly surprised us.
For Christmas tins, double the recipe and play around with the baking time in the oven because of using release foil. Or perhaps line a 9x13 with parchment paper?

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon table salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup chopped salted peanuts, divided
• Vegetable cooking spray
• 1 (4-oz.) semisweet chocolate baking bar, chopped

Details

Adapted from myrecipes.com

Preparation

Step 1

Microwave butter in a large microwave-safe bowl at MEDIUM HIGH (70%) for 45 to 60 seconds or until melted. Stir together brown sugar and peanut butter. Add eggs, next 4 ingredients, and 1/2 cup peanuts. Spoon batter into a lightly greased (with cooking spray) 8-inch square microwave-safe baking dish. Microwave at MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) for 4 minutes. Microwave at HIGH (100%) for 3 to 6 minutes or until top is almost dry. Remove from microwave, and immediately top with chopped chocolate. Let stand 5 minutes; spread melted chocolate evenly over top, and sprinkle with remaining peanuts. Cool 15 minutes. Cut into squares.