Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars

You need to make these, now! These bars are a healthier version of a classic combo -- peanut butter and chocolate. I adapted the recipe from one of my husband's grandmother's. I don't know if she'd approve or not, but they are pretty yummy.

Here's the recipe I used as a base. It's pretty standard so there's room for lots of fun customization. I went a little wild; substituting coconut oil for shortening, almond butter for some of the peanut butter and honey for some of the sugar. I also used brown rice flour and sprinkled in some flax for good measure.

The batter was very sticky, but that seemed OK to me.

This is the fun part. Add whatever toppings you like and/or have on hand. And if you don't feel like it, you definitely don't HAVE to do a topping. I sprinkled chocolate chips on the still warm bars and spread it for a glaze, then added chopped pecans and coarsely crushed peanut butter-covered pretzels (because I had these on hand, and why not!).

The Recipe

makes about 12 bars

1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup almond butter
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup coconut oil
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup brown rice flour (or whatever kind you have)
flax (optional)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups chocolate chips (I used semi-sweet)

Cream sugars, peanut butter, almond butter, honey and oil until well blended. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Mix until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips.

Spread into a greased and floured 9x9-inch pan and bake at 350F degrees for about 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Do not overbake.

For toppings, spread chocolate chips over still warm brownies for a glaze. Add whatever else you might want -- chopped nuts, crushed candy bars, pretzels, marshmallows, dried fruit.