February 24: Peanut Butter Rocky Road Bars

Peanut Butter Rocky Road Bars

Base
8 tablespoons (4 oz) unsalted butter
3 tablespoons unsweetened natural cocoa powder
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup (3.4 oz) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups mini marshmallows
2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup lightly salted peanuts
Milk or dark chocolate, for melting and drizzling

1. Preheat the oven to 350 and place a rack in the center. Line a 9 inch square pan with nonstick foil.
2. Make the base: In a microwave safe mixing bowl, microwave the butter on high for 30 seconds, or until melted. Stir in the cocoa powder and let the mixture cool. When cool, stir in the sugar, flour, salt and mix with a wooden spoon. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat with the spoon, and then beat in the vanilla until the mixture is well-blended. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the top appears set. Let cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
3. Make the topping: Soften the peanut butter for 8 to 10 seconds on high in the microwave and spread it over the brownies. Sprinkle the marshmallows, chocolate chips and peanuts over the peanut butter layer. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 3 to 4 minutes, or just until the marshmallows puff up. Let cool in the pan. If desired, melt some milk or dark chocolate in the microwave using 50% power. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the rocky road topping. Let cool completely and then chill. When chilled, lift from the pan, set on a cutting board, and cut into 16 squares.

Melted peanut butter is so easy to spread!

I should probably work on my artistry skills!

Thoughts: I broke down and bought a 9 inch square pan for this recipe.  After the cream cheese brownies almost overflowed due to being stuffed into a smaller pan, I decided to buy one.  I really prefer glass pans but it is what Target had and I didn't feel like going somewhere else.  I used semi sweet chocolate chips for the melted chocolate on top.  I put about 1/2 cup worth in a glass measuring cup and waited until it melted and poured it on top. Then I used a knife to spread it out.  We weren't crazy about these bars.  They were very gooey.  Patrick thought that they were pretty gross and I thought that the brownie base was pretty bland.