Loaded Peanut Butter Bars

I wanted to make a batch of cookie bars but I had peanut butter on the mind. I've had a bag of Mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups in the pantry. I have resisted opening them because I knew once I did they would be just too much temptation. Can you resist an opened bag of your favorite treat??? 

So using them in a dessert was the only solution. I was taking dinner into a new mother tonight, perfect timing. I loaded a plate for the new mother, shared a couple with friends at lunch and quickly cut the rest of them, double wrapped them and hid them in the freezer for upcoming company!

This recipe is my Thick and Chewy Cookie Bar with a peanut butter spin. Try them, they are delicious with any combination of chips!

Loaded Peanut Butter Bars

2 1/8 cups (10 1/2 ounces) all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
12 tablespoons butter (1 1/2 sticks), melted and cooled slightly
1 cup (7 ounces) light brown sugar
1/2 (3 1/2 ounces) cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, cut in half

3/4 cup Reese's Peanut Butter Chips

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Adjust the oven rack to lower-middle position. Line a 9X13-inch baking pan with foil, letting the excess hang over the edges of the pan by about 1 inch so you can grab those edges and pull the brownies from the pan after they have baked. Spray the foil-lined pan with Pam.

Mix the flour, salt, and baking soda together in medium bowl; set aside. Whisk the melted butter and sugars in a large bowl until combined. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla and mix well. Using a rubber spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture until just combined; do not over mix. Fold in the Peanut Butter Chips, Cups and turn the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with the spatula.

Bake until the top of the bars is light golden brown, slightly firm to the touch, and edges start pulling away from sides of pan, 24-28 minutes. Cool on a wire rack to room temperature. Remove the bars from the pan by lifting the foil overhang and transfer them to a cutting board. Cut into 2-inch squares and serve.
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