Peanut Butter Blossom Bars are a delightful twist on the classic peanut butter blossom cookies. Combining the rich flavors of peanut butter and chocolate, these bars are a perfect treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour (1 1/2 cups): Provides the structure for the bars.
- Milk Chocolate Chips (2/3 cup): Adds sweetness and chocolatey flavor.
- Creamy Peanut Butter (1/2 cup): Offers a rich, nutty taste and creamy texture.
- Brown Sugar (1/2 cup): Contributes to the moistness and adds a caramel-like flavor.
- Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup), softened: Adds richness and helps to create a tender crumb.
- Granulated Sugar (1/2 cup): Provides sweetness and helps in creating a crisp top layer.
- Egg (1): Acts as a binder and contributes to the texture.
- Baking Soda (3/4 teaspoon) & Baking Powder (1/2 teaspoon): Leavening agents that help the bars rise.
- Salt (1/8 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness.
- Hershey’s Kisses (24): The classic chocolate topping that melts beautifully into the bars.
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Greasing a 9×13 inch baking dish ensures that the bars won’t stick.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, creamy peanut butter, and egg. Mix until smooth and well blended.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually stir in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Be careful not to overmix – stop as soon as the flour is incorporated.
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- Incorporate Chocolate Chips: Fold in the milk chocolate chips. These chips add delightful pockets of chocolatey flavor throughout the bars.
- Press Dough into Pan: Transfer the dough into the greased baking dish. Press it evenly into the pan. Sprinkling the top with a bit of granulated sugar adds a nice texture and extra sweetness.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set.
- Add Hershey’s Kisses: As soon as you take the bars out of the oven, press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each square while the bars are still warm. The heat will slightly melt the Kisses, making them stick to the bars.
- Cool and Cut: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. This step is crucial as it lets the bars set, making them easier to cut.
- Serve and Store: Cut the bars into squares, ensuring each has a Hershey’s Kiss in the center. Store the bars in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Tips
- For Even Bars: Use a sharp knife to cut the bars and clean the knife after each cut for neat squares.
- Variations: Try using different flavored chips or Kisses for a twist.
Enjoy your homemade Peanut Butter Blossom Bars! They are sure to be a hit with their irresistible combination of peanut butter and chocolate. 🍫🥜🍪🎉