Buckeye Brownies

I signed up to bring a dessert to a church potluck and the day before I still had no idea what to make. I didn't want to go shopping so I was limited to what I had on hand. I wanted something more than just your basic bar, I wanted delicious and impressive. Based on the comments and requests for the recipe I think these Buckeye Brownies fulfilled my requirements.
They start with a simple brownie base {although a similar recipe used chocolate chip cookie dough as the base, which I think would also be great}, then a peanut butter filling, topped with chocolate. Obviously, since it has peanut butter and chocolate it will be a winner but this was beyond expectations. If you like peanut butter balls you will love these Buckeye Brownies!

Buckeye Brownies

 Print Recipe
Yields: 1 9x 13 pan
Source: Nestle and Susie Cutie Pies  

Ingredients:
Brownies

1 2/3 cups sugar

3/4 cup butter

2 T water

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

1 1/3 cups flour

3/4 cup cocoa powder

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

Middle Layer

2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup creamy peanut butter

Topping

3-4 T butter

6 oz chocolate chips

 

Directions:
   1.  Preheat oven to 350. Grease 13x9 pan.
   2.  Combine sugar, butter and water in a large bowl. Stir in eggs and vanilla.
   3.  In a separate bowl, combine flour, coca, baking powder and salt. Stir into sugar mixture. Pour into prepared pan.
   4.  Bake for 18 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out slightly sticky.
   5.  After brownies have cooled, combine powdered sugar, butter and peanut butter. Spread over brownies (may need to press with fingers).
   6.   Melt butter and chocolate chips until smooth. Spread over brownies.

   *Another recipe I looked at suggested using chocolate chip cookie dough as the base.

This is linked to Finding Joy in My Kitchen. 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Melts

No one {well, practically no one} is going to deny the goodness that is sure to result when you combine peanut butter and chocolate. This recipe uses the two plus bananas all warmed through for an irresistible snack or treat.
The recipe below is written for just one sandwich but it's easy to make these assembly line style. Be sure to make more than you think you'll need because everyone will definitely want more than one!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Melts
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Yields: 1 sandwich {double, etc as necessary}
Adapted from: Rachael Ray

Ingredients per sandwich:
2 slices bread
1/2 T butter, room temperature
1 T peanut butter
1/2 banana, sliced
1 tsp chocolate sauce

Directions:
   1.  Spread soft butter on one side of each slice of bread. On the other side of the first slice spread the peanut butter. Top with bananas. On the non-buttered side of the second slice of bread spread the chocolate sauce; put on top of bananas.
   2.  Cook in a non-stick skillet or griddle for about two minutes or until slightly browned; flip and cook two more minutes or until slightly browned and warmed through. Cut in quarters; serve warm.

Easy Peanut Butter Cookies

 

I happened upon this recipe a few months ago in Woman's Day magazine and, unlike most recipes I find, I tried it immediately. Since then I've made these cookies numerous times because these Easy Peanut Butter Cookies have quickly become a family favorite.
With only four ingredients they are incredibly easy to put together {hence the name}. In fact, in the time it takes your oven to warm up you can mix the dough and prepare the first sheet to bake.

Easy Peanut Butter Cookies
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Source: Woman's Day
Yields: ~4 dozen 

Ingredients:
1 cup creamy or chunky peanut butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 egg

Directions:
   1.  Mix all ingredients until well incorporated.
   2.  Drop by heaping teaspoon onto baking sheet, slightly flatten. {These cookies don't spread a lot so it's okay to put them close together.}

  

   3.  Bake at 350 for 8 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes.

 

This is linked to URS.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Toffee

We've gotten into what might be a bad habit. All three of us enjoy it when there's something a little more exciting than a handful of chocolate chips for dessert. However, I don't always have the time {or desire} to keep cookies around. Enter Peanut Butter Chocolate Toffee.
It takes about 10 minutes of active work, less than 30 minutes total and produces something wonderful. The combination of salt, peanut butter and chocolate is just divine, as one would expect. So while chocolate chips have their place Peanut Butter Chocolate Toffee definitely wins the battle between the two!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Toffee
 Print Recipe
Adapted from Finding Joy in My Kitchen & My Recipes
Yields: ~30 pieces

Ingredients:
1 sleeve minus 4 Club crackers
I cup brown sugar
4 T butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup chocolate chips  

Directions:
   1.  Line a 11x17 baking sheet with tinfoil. Spread crackers in a single layer, with edges touching.
   2.  In a small saucepan, melt brown sugar and butter until boiling; boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Working quickly, spread over crackers. Bake at 350 for 13 minutes.
   3.  Remove pan from oven. Place peanut butter in small dollops across crackers; spread.
   4.  Sprinkle chocolate chips across crackers; return pan to oven for 1-2 minutes, until chocolate is soft. Remove from oven; spread.
   5.  Let toffee cool until hardened; break into pieces.

This is linked to Tasty Tuesday and Finding Joy in My Kitchen.