Peanut Butter Madness Bars

Aloha friends!

It's hard to believe it's almost May.    If we had seasons here, I'd be thinking that summer was around the corner.   A vacation that has been on the horizon forever is now almost here.   In a few weeks, I'll hop on a plane and travel a bajillion time zones (well, 11 anyway) to spend two weeks in Ireland and Scotland.   

I'll probably have to wear pants.

I know.

Until then, I'll keep rolling island style.   In fact, this weekend is the Maui Onion Festival.  Can't have that anywhere else but here!

Onward to delicious rich peanut buttery brownie bars.

What You Need

1 box of brownie mix, prepared following package directions for a 9x9 pan (love Trader Joe's Truffle Brownie Mix)
1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts chopped
24 miniature Reese's peanut butter cups, chopped
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup of peanut butter (I used Natural Jif Crunchy)
1 teaspoon vanilla

What You Do

Line a 9x9 pan with foil and coat with cooking spray.    Preheat oven and prepare brownie batter following package directions.

During the last 5 minutes of baking, remove brownies from the oven and sprinkle with the chopped peanuts and peanut butter cups.    Bake for the last 5 minutes.    When you take the brownies out of the oven, use a spatula to spread the melty peanut butter cups.

In a microwave safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and peanut butter.   Heat for 1 minute and stir until melted and smooth.    Stir in the vanilla and then pour (gently) over the peanut butter cup layer and smooth it out.

Store these madness bars in the fridge until completely cool.    Slice into small pieces (or giant triangles...it's really your call).

Meanwhile In Maui...

I can't stop taking pictures of turtles.
Awesome, every time!