I decided medical textbooks should officially note an illness called "test-stomach." You know that pain in your stomach you get after "taste-testing" something you just made. I mean we have to make sure it taste good RIGHT? Even if we have to check four or five times...I mean, we can't serve bad food!
Well at least that excuse will make me feel better, and that's all that matters
I got the idea for these the other day after eating some Snyder's peanut butter pretzel sandwich bites. Pretzels go with peanut butter...peanut butter goes with chocolate...people eat chocolate covered pretzels...this idea is totally logical!
Let's just say...first stomach ache has been accomplished...
Not to mention all the people at work called it genius...yeah, my head swelled a little.
Pretzel PB Chocolate Bars (Healthy Re-vised)
Crust Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cup pretzel crumbs (I used the standard size pretzels)
- 7 Tbsp Melted Un-Salted Butter or use Smart Balance Omega 3 Buttery sticks
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 3 Tbsp sugar or 4.5 packets Splenda Artificial Sweetener
Peanut Butter Layer Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar or 1/4 cup Splenda Brown Sugar Blend
- 1 2/3 cup confectioners' sugar (more depending on your taste buds)
- 1/4 cup Un-Salted Butter or Smart Balance Omega 3 Buttery sticks
- 1 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
Chocolate Layer Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips (I am obsessed with Ghirardelli)
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 Tbsp Un-Salted Butter or Smart Balance Omega 3 Buttery sticks
Baking Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
Butter or Oil an 8x8 baking dish
In a food processor grind pretzels until they are fine crumbs (few chunks are okay, but you want it to stick)
In a bowl combine the pretzel crumbs, melted butter, salt and sugar
If you think you need more binding, add another Tbsp butter to mixture
Press pretzel mixture into your pan until evenly distributed.
Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove and set aside to cool
In a large bowl combine brown sugar, confectioners' sugar, peanut butter and butter until smooth
It is easiest to use a mixer, make sure blended completely
Add additional 1/3 confectioners' sugar if you feel mixture is too sticky
Glob large spoonfuls of peanut butter over the pretzel crust
Use fingers or spoon to spread peanut butter evenly over top the pretzel crust
Place in fridge to cool while you prepare the chocolate layer
In a large microwavable bowl combine chocolate and butter
Microwave 1 minute then check and stir
Repeat at 30 second intervals until chocolate is melted
In a large bowl combine brown sugar, confectioners' sugar, peanut butter and butter until smooth
It is easiest to use a mixer, make sure blended completely
Add additional 1/3 confectioners' sugar if you feel mixture is too sticky
Glob large spoonfuls of peanut butter over the pretzel crust
Use fingers or spoon to spread peanut butter evenly over top the pretzel crust
Place in fridge to cool while you prepare the chocolate layer
In a large microwavable bowl combine chocolate and butter
Microwave 1 minute then check and stir
Repeat at 30 second intervals until chocolate is melted
Remove tray from the fridge and pour chocolate over the peanut butter layer
Use a spatula to spread evenly over the peanut butter
Replace back in the fridge for 1 hour or more until chocolate is set.
You do not want the chocolate to completely harden or it will crack when cut
Remove from fridge and cut into sizes of your choice
Enjoy :)
