Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Bars

By now, it's no surprise that Paul and Becky love desserts that combine peanut butter and chocolate. So we knew before even trying this new recipe that it would be a hit - and it was. With a neat consistency midway between brownies and cake, these bars almost taste like cookies. Their flavor is similar to the Revel Bars that we love, but they are quick and easy to make --- pretty much a one-bowl recipe --- and you might even have all the ingredients in your cupboard already!

Ingredients:

- 2/3 cup butter, softened
- 2/3 cup peanut butter (crunchy or creamy)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 package (11 1/2 ounces) chocolate chips (milk chocolate or semisweet)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13x9 inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, peanut butter, sugar, and brown sugar

Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla.

Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture.

Stir in the chocolate chips.

Spread into the prepared pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack, then cut into bars.

Becky's Note to Self (11/1/09): Next time try baking in a 15x10 pan (and watch the time) - they don't get cooked all the way through before they are brown on the top.