Peanut Butter Dream Bars: Chocolate & PB Magic

What happens when you combine the classic flavors of peanut butter and chocolate into one irresistible bar? Pure delightful magic.

Mrs. Fields Peanut Butter Dream Bars are delectable treats that will capture the hearts and taste buds of dessert lovers everywhere.

Let's get baking!

Photo byThat Recipe

These cookie bars were originally made in Mrs. Field's cookie stores as a way to use up leftover cookies.

Yes, "leftover cookies" may be an alien concept to some, but since the cookies at Mrs. Field's are freshly baked they often have cookies that haven't sold that may end up in the trash.

Enter these easy cookie bars. Just mix up some crumbled chocolate chip cookies and mix with butter for the crust then layer it with chocolate and sweetened peanut butter.

The hardest part about this recipe is waiting for the layers to cool.

INGREDIENTS FOR PEANUT BUTTER DREAM BARS

There are technically only five ingredients for bars, if you count the cookies as one ingredient:

• chocolate chip cookies, about 3 inches in diameter
• melted butter
• creamy peanut butter (or crunchy if you want it nutty)
• powdered sugar
• semi sweet chocolate chips (or milk or dark chocolate if you prefer)

No, the cookies do not need to be Mrs. Field's and they don't need to be leftovers. I actually made cookies specifically for this recipe (the cookie portion from this brookie recipe is one of my favorites).

The originals were made with milk chocolate, but I prefer semi sweet or even dark chocolate to balance out the sweetness of the peanut butter and cookie layers.

Customize Peanut Butter Dream Bars

The great thing about making these at home is you can customize it for your tastes.

Luckily it is a recipe that does not require exact measurements to be delicious. If you want a thicker cookie layer, use more cookies and butter. Want a thicker peanut butter layer, up the peanut butter and powdered sugar.

I made them in a 9 inch square pan because there are only 3 of us. A feeble attempt at portion control. For a 9 x 13 inch pan, increase the ingredients by 70%. For the math challenged that means approximately:

• 11 chocolate chip cookies
• 7 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 16-17 ounces chocolate chips

Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 8 large chocolate chip cookies (about 5" across)
• 5 tablespoons melted butter
• ¾ cup peanut butter
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 12 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips (or milk chocolate chips)

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Crumble the cookies into a medium mixing bowl. Add melted butter and stir until the mixture is dark and evenly mixed.
• Press mixture firmly into a 9x9 inch pan. Bake for 10 minutes, or until it's firm around edges.
• Let cool on counter for 10 minutes then chill in the refrigerator for an hour.
• Melt half the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds then stir, repeat until the chocolate is melted.
• Spread melted chocolate over the chilled crust. Chill in fridge until chocolate is hard, about 15-20 minutes.
• In a medium bowl mix the peanut butter and powdered sugar until blended. Spread evenly over the surface of the chocolate.
• Melt remaining chocolate as above and spread of the peanut butter mixture.
• Let the chocolate harden in the fridge or on the counter. Cut into 10 bars.