Chocolate and Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookie Bars ~ As mentioned in a previous post, it’s a Glut Fest-type of week and that’s now become a throw down between the Bikini Killer Cookies and these Belt Bust’n Chocolate Bars.
Chocolate and Peanut Butter Pretzel Bar
Here’s the dealie-o . . . I made the Bikini Killer Cookies as a Father’s Day Dessert for my hubbie and while he loved them insanely he pointed out that the cookie name didn’t really match the intended cookie recipient, ie. Him. True. But um, creative license (in this case, the naming of a cookie) goes to the baker.
Hello. Nice to meet you, Matt. I bake. I blog. I name. You eat.
Simple rules, right? Apparently not.
Enter the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars my latest Father’s Day dessert for my title-sensitive hubs.
Grab your stretch pants and a glass of milk and get ready for a serious eat-down! (Pssst. . .there is a no-bake shortcut version so keep reading).
See that creamy chocolate layer staring back at you? That bit of goodness is stuffed with chopped peanut butter pretzel sandwiches to give you some sweet and salty in one bite. Underneath that sweet and salty bite is a buttery shortbread crust. Not willing to be outdone by its bottom counterpart, the top of the bar is finished with some caramel drizzle and a sea salt dusting.
The verdict on the throw down between the two:
Matt loves the name as much as he loves the Belt Bust’n Bars themselves, but the Bikini Killer Cookies still reign supreme for Father’s Day Dessert 2011.
I’d love to know what you think. Which one would you choose, Belt Bust’n Chocolate Bars or the Bikini Killer Cookies?
A few notes: 
- Want to shortcut this recipe into a no-bake version? Replace the bottom layer with some whole squares of graham crackers- it’s just as tasty. In fact stay tuned, because I’ve got another tasty bar cookie using this shortcut.
- If you’re allergic to peanut butter (or don’t care for it) try replacing the peanut butter pretzel sandwiches with regular pretzels to keep the sweet and salty theme.
- The bars can be made a day in advance and refrigerated. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes prior to serving.
- For the peanut butter pretzel sandwiches I used Synder’s of Hanover brand.
Chocolate and Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars
Makes one, 8×8-inch Pan | Preparation: Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment overhanging the sides by one inch all around.
Ingredients:
Crust:
- 1/4 cup of confectioner sugar
- 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1 cups of flour
Filling:
- 1 11.5oz bag of chocolate chops
- ¾ cups milk
- 2 ½ cups of Pretzel Peanut Butter Sandwich, chopped
Instructions:
Crust:
1. Place butter and sugar in a bowl and beat until light and creamy. Add vanilla and beat until combined. Add flour and beat until combined. Press dough into bottom of pan. Bake at 350 for about 12-15 minutes; set aside to cool.
Filling:
1 . Melt chocolate in a pan over (not on) simmering water. Add milk and whisk to combine. Remove chocolate mixture from heat and let cool for 10 minutes. Measure out 1/3 cup of chocolate mixture; set aside.
2. Fold chopped peanut butter pretzel sandwich into the chocolate. Pour mixture over cooled crust. Pour remaining chocolate on top. Then use a spatula and smooth out the top chocolate. To finish, drizzle caramel on top and sprinkle with sea salt. Set pan in refrigerator to set for at least thirty minutes or overnight before cutting.
Click here for a homemade caramel sauce recipe.
These deserve a huge WOW! Have a wonderful weekend!
Maris (In Good Taste)´s last [type] ..It’s A Wrap- Cajun Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
These look insanely good, Naomi – and WAY too easy to make! That last photo is positively beautiful.
Have a lovely father’s day weekend – Matt is very lucky!
I’m with your husband, the Bikini Killer Cookies are my pick. Although these do looks so wonderful and delicious.
I’m going to have to vote for Bikini Killer cookies for a several reasons. There was an all-girl punk band in the 90′s called Bikini Kill… so that’s awesome. Also, it’s timely, because of summer. Also, they win based purely on the fact that they are cookies stuffed with freakin’ snickers bars!!
Michelle´s last [type] ..Fluffernutter Cupcakes
These belt bust’n cookie bars are insane! I’ve just put mine in the fridge to cool so we can have it as a treat while movie watchin’ tonight. Thanks for sharing this recipe. You are awesome <3
Bikini Killer for sure. This has a too much chocolate for me and I love the extreme clash of the two words.
This is my kind of bar, a shortbread crust + a fudgy topping equals heaven!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen´s last [type] ..an indoor culinary herb garden growing your own flavor
Not sure if I COULD choose between them!
Both looks amazing.
Blessings girl!
Amanda
Yes. Yes. And yes. Saving this and making this, omgosh.
Thank you for the lovely pictures just as I am about to go to bed so I can take the thought of these to my dreams.
Karissa´s last [type] ..Mini Dulce De Leche Cinnamon Buns No eggs- no butter- no yeast
I made the Bikini Killers and they were soooooo good!
I haven’t tried these so hard to choose, but “belt busting” is definitely more manly.
I saw these, my friend, on Foodgawker… and I had to run over ASAP! Yeah…. I have no doubt that these would ruin my already non-existent figure. Awesome!
Brian @ A Thought For Food´s last [type] ..Silent Sunday- Northern California
Oh my gosh. no question, I am absolutely making these this week!
I say Belting Busting Bars. I made this last night and we had them today-MAGNIFICENT. I added some peanut butter to the melted chocolate and it was so tasty. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
These look fantastic! I love anything chocolate and peanut butter.
wifelike.blogspot.com
Love the sweet and savory combination here. These look sinfully delicious.
Eliana´s last [type] ..Lemon Sorbet
These are so worth me not being able to wear a bikini. i have no vacation planned anyway.
Joanne´s last [type] ..Fannie Farmer’s Vegetable Paella
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[...] place the pan in the oven for 6-8 minutes at 350 degrees F.For a variation check out these Belt Busting Bars that utilize a short bread crust with a peanut butter pretzel filling.For another no-bake recipe [...]
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