Idle Hand Bars

Base Layer:

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup sugar
5 Tbsp. Cocoa
1 egg, beaten
1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
3/4 cup coarsely crushed pretzels

1. In double boiler (or a bowl resting over a pot of lightly simmering water), melt the first three ingredients.

2. While still over water, add egg and beat to combine (will thicken quite a bit here). Remove from heat and add crumbs and pretzels.
3. Press into an 8 x 8 cake pan. Set aside.
 

Middle Layer:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly.

2/3 cup powdered sugar
1 cup smooth, natural peanut butter (no salt added, reduce salt accordingly if using salted)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

1. Add peanut butter and butter together in small bowl.

2. Mix in sugar, salt and vanilla to form a thick paste.
3. Dump onto base layer and smooth over, patting down to make a flat, even layer.

Top (final) Layer:

5 oz. Semi Sweet Choclate chips (or other fine chocolate)
1 Tbsp unsalted butter

1. In double boiler (or microwave), melt butter and chocolate chips together. Stir until complete dissolved and smooth.

2. Pour over peanut butter layer and spread out evenly.
3. Cool in fridge (or freezer, if you’re in a hurry like I was), and let cool completely to become hard.
4. Cut into small squares and don’t say I didn’t warn you….these things are addictive.

I think these would be fantastic if they were left to mellow in the freezer for an hour or so. I love frozen desserts, and they last much longer when stored in the deep freeze. Happy snacking!

Recipe Source: http://guiltykitchen.com/2009/08/23/idle-hand-bars-sweet-salty-blogger-secret-ingredient-peanut-butter/