The Best Thing I've Ever Baked...Probably

The BF is a huge fan of anything that combines peanut butter and chocolate. Every year for his birthday I ensure I have something freshly baked combining these two decadent ingredients. This year, I took a risk and tried out a new recipe.

This recipe for Peanutty Buckeye Bars, adapted from Better Homes and Gardens, is definitely the best thing I've ever baked...probably. It combines the best aspects of a fudgy brownie, with a sweet and creamy peanut butter center. These babies are so rich that eating just two is bound to give you a stomach ache (trust me). The next time you're craving an indulgent pb & c treat, give these bars a try! They may not look pretty, but they taste amazing and no one will know they're only semi-homemade!

Peanutty Buckeye Bars
Recipe adapted from Better Homes and Gardens
Makes approx. 16

Ingredients

1 package brownie mix of your choice

2  eggs

1/3  cup  vegetable oil

1  cup  chopped peanuts

1 14  ounce can  sweetened condensed milk

1/2  cup  peanut butter (I used chunky)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x9 baking pan; set aside. In a large bowl, combine brownie mix, eggs, and oil. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Stir in peanuts. Remove half of the brownie mixture and set aside. Spread the remaining brownie mixture evenly into prepared pan.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter until smooth. Spread evenly over brownie mixture in pan (a rubber spatula helps). Separate the remaining brownie mixture into pieces, flatten them with your fingers, and place them on top of the brownie mixture in pan.

3. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until top is set and edges are lightly browned. Cool completely in pan and cut into bars.

Note: My bars were brown around the edges but gooey in the middle. The middle eventually sets, but be careful not to overly cook the brownie layers.