Welcome, sweet treat enthusiasts and home bakers! Today, I’m excited to share with you a delightful recipe that combines the creamy richness of peanut butter with the irresistible charm of chocolate: Peanut Butter Blossom Bars. This recipe is perfect for anyone looking to create a quick, delicious dessert that’s sure to impress family and friends alike. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these bars are straightforward to make and utterly scrumptious.
Why You’ll Love Peanut Butter Blossom Bars
Peanut Butter Blossom Bars are the perfect marriage of flavors and textures. The soft, chewy base with its rich peanut butter taste, complemented by the smooth milk chocolate topping, makes each bite a decadent experience. Not only are they delicious, but these bars are also incredibly versatile. Serve them at parties, family gatherings, or as a special treat during the holidays; they’re always a hit!
Recipe Snapshot
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Servings: 24 bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup of milk chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar
- 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 3/4 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon of salt
- 24 Hershey’s Kisses
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to ensure that your bars come out perfectly non-stick.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, both sugars, creamy peanut butter, and egg. Mix these together until the mixture is smooth and well-blended.
- Incorporate the Dry Ingredients: Gradually add in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to your wet mixture. Stir everything together until just combined. This will form the base of your bars, which should be thick and moldable.
- Add the Chocolate Chips: Fold in the milk chocolate chips, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Press and Bake: Transfer the dough to your prepared baking dish. Press it down evenly. If you like, you can sprinkle a little granulated sugar over the top for extra crunch and sweetness. Bake in the preheated oven for about 22 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden brown.
- Add a Chocolate Kiss: As soon as you remove the bars from the oven, press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each square while they’re still hot. This will allow the chocolate to melt slightly and adhere to the bar.
- Cool and Cut: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before cutting them into squares. Each piece should have a chocolate kiss neatly in the center.
- Storage: These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, making them a perfect make-ahead treat for any occasion.
Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Blossom Bars
- Ingredient Quality: Use high-quality creamy peanut butter for the best flavor and texture. Natural peanut butter can separate and may affect the consistency of the bars.
- Even Baking: Make sure to press the dough evenly into the pan to ensure uniform baking and perfect squares.
- Chocolate Choices: While milk chocolate is traditional, feel free to experiment with dark chocolate or even white chocolate chips for a different twist on this classic treat.
Conclusion
Peanut Butter Blossom Bars are not just a treat; they’re a delightful journey into the world of baking that brings joy and sweetness into our lives. Easy to make, these bars are a fantastic way to introduce children to baking, and they make an excellent addition to any dessert table. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just as a weekend treat, they’re sure to bring smiles to everyone’s faces.
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