I’ve been re-visiting some of my favorite cookbooks lately. I don’t have a vast collection, but it’s large enough that some get a little lost occasionally. The positive side to that is that when you find a formerly lost one, it’s a bit like getting a new cookbook… for free!
I happened upon this recipe while re-discovering The Buttercup Bakeshop Cookbook. Of course, it had me at peanut butter. Then, I read the description that stated that these are a favorite at the bakery. With that kind of endorsement, I started rounding up ingredients. Luckily, these are all ingredients that most of us probably have in our pantries all the time.
There are a lot of flavors at work here – peanut butter, chocolate, brown sugar, white chocolate, pecans. But, somehow it’s not overkill. Everything plays quite well together. Honestly, I didn’t really taste the pecans. They do add some crunch, but I also think that peanuts or crunchy peanut butter would do the same thing. I certainly never avoid pecan usage in my baking, so I was glad to use them and probably would again.
I actually made these twice within just a few days. They are really that good. I added a few more chips on top, mostly for aesthetic purposes. Although, I can’t complain about a little extra chocolate when given the opportunity.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons chocolate chips, divided
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons white chocolate chips (or vanilla chips), divided
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons peanut butter chips, divided
- 1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325°. Grease and lightly flour a 9″x 13″ baking pan.
Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Using an electric mixer on low speed, beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Add peanut butter and beat well. Mix in egg and vanilla.
Gradually add dry ingredients and mix well. Stir in 1/2 cup chocolate chips, 1/4 cup white chocolate chips, 1/4 cup peanut butter chips, and pecans.
Spread mixture evenly into prepared pan. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Remove from oven and sprinkle 1/4 cup chocolate chips and 1/4 cup peanut butter chips on top of bars. Allow to sit for 1-2 minutes. Using a spatula, smooth out chips as they begin to melt.
Cool for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons each chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and peanut butter chips. Cool completely before cutting into bars.
Notes
Recipe adapted from The Buttercup Bake Shop Cookbook.
January 19th, 2012 at 5:43 pm
LOVE this!
January 19th, 2012 at 6:27 pm
you always have the best bars/brownies/blondies/etc these ones look really decadent
January 19th, 2012 at 7:09 pm
oh man…..these are going to be made tomorrow!!!! thank you so much!!!
January 20th, 2012 at 5:31 am
Mmmm these would go in an instant in my house!
January 20th, 2012 at 10:28 am
oh dear….i would love to make these, but am pretty sure i would end up eating every bit myself and not sharing
i’ve seen lots of bars, but not any like these….these will definitely be added to my baking bucket list!
January 20th, 2012 at 10:34 am
Mmmmmmm, I can see why you made them twice. They look so tasty and naughty!
January 20th, 2012 at 11:09 am
Hi,
First time at your blog and amazing recipes and photos.
These pb bars are delicious, to bad i cannot find the pb chips (here in Portugal they don’t sell it!).
Kisses,
Rita
January 20th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
I can’t believe these – they are absolutely the ultimate indulgence
January 20th, 2012 at 6:49 pm
I like using pecans and crunchy peanut butter.
January 22nd, 2012 at 7:27 am
I’m with Morgan these are definitely going on my Foodie wishlist. This is my first time on your site but I’m definitely adding you to my Google reader! Your pictures are so beautiful by the way…
January 22nd, 2012 at 1:47 pm
Hey! I’ve been reading your blog and have been really enjoying it, I tried making these just now! They’re out of the oven and look really good, I haven’t cut them quite yet. Thanks so much!
January 24th, 2012 at 2:06 pm
Wow, those look absolutely amazing! I pinned it so I can make them soon!
January 27th, 2012 at 11:18 am
these sound yummy! might try to make them with almond butter
January 30th, 2012 at 9:58 am
Hmmmm – these almost look too good to eat. Emphasis on almost
February 1st, 2012 at 12:06 pm
Okay so I made these again when I had bought Reese chips and I also got extra crunchy peanut butter, and they’re amazing! I also meant to cook them a tad less cause I felt like they were coming out a little dry and I wanted creamy, but I forgot about them again and so they were still golden brown. I will do a third attempt and try to keep a better eye on them.