Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

From the Kitchen of Deep South Dish

1/2 cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter,
softened at room temperature
1 heaping cup of creamy peanut butter
1-1/4 cup of granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup of all purpose flour
Pinch of kosher salt
1 (11.5-ounce package) milk chocolate morsels
3/4 cup of chopped peanuts, divided

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper leaving an overhang for handles. If using parchment paper, you can spray the pan with a bit of non-stick spray to make the paper stay in place.
Cream together the butter and peanut butter. Blend in the sugar, eggs and vanilla extract, then add the flour and salt; mix. Fold in the package of chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of the chopped peanuts. Spread mixture evenly into the prepared pan and sprinkle the remaining chopped peanuts evenly on top.
Bake at 350 degrees F for about 20 to 25 minutes or just until edges are lightly browned; don't overcook. Let stand for about 10 minutes to set completely. Using the edges of the parchment paper as handles, carefully transfer the bars to a cooling rack to cool completely. Once cool, transfer to a solid surface and cut into squares.