Almond Joy Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

Almond Joy Peanut Butter Cookie Bars: the perfect cookie bar for Almond Joy addicts!

You all know how much I looooooooove Almond Joy candy bars, right?

It’s love with a capital lust.

Up until a few years ago, I hated them. Er, I thought I did. I’d never had one. Now, I can’t get enough.

What’s really strange is that I only buy them at Halloween time. Halloween was when I first fell in looooove with them, so it’s kind of an anniversary of sorts. It’s my Almond Joy Anniversary!

This last week has been super stressful – Online BlogCon starts on October 8th. Ashton and I are working like madwomen to get it all ready and I just have not had the time I’ve wanted to test recipes and try new things.

{Pssst…OBC ’13 registration ends tomorrow. Go get your tickets!}

After two recipe fails in one day and a lot of frustration, I needed something comforting…and something I knew would work.

Enter: Almond Joy Peanut Butter Cookie Bars.

Last week I was at Walmart and alllll the Halloween is out. I snagged a few bags of Almond Joys because, well, that’s how I celebrate our anniversary.

I knew that these bars would be fantastic, because they start with my favorite peanut butter cookie dough. Instead of making cookies, I just pressed them into a 9-inch square pan.

Then I unwrapped 25 fun size Almond Joys and pressed them on top. Let me tell you, it was hard not to sneak some. Really hard. Like Edward-and-Bella-in-Twilight hard.

But I managed. For all of you!

These bars are super thick and rich. There’s tons of peanut butter flavor and the Almond Joy on top adds a chocolate and coconut kick to every bite.

I made these in a 9″ square pan, but they are really thick. Next time, I think I’ll make them in a 9×13″ pan and use more Almond Joys on top. Do what you like, I’ve noted the options in the recipe.

I think my favorite part about Halloween are all the mini candy bars.

They’re mini – so it’s okay to eat a dozen. On top of cookies. Right?

Riiiiiiight. 🙂

Almond Joy Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

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Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Yield 4 servings

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Ingredients

 

• ▢ 1/2 cup butter softened
• ▢ 3/4 cup peanut butter
• ▢ 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• ▢ 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 1 egg
• ▢ 1 tablespoon vanilla
• ▢ 1 tablespoon milk
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ▢ 2 cups flour
• ▢ 25 mini Almond Joy candy bars from about a bag and a half (see note)

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Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 9x9” pan with foil and spray with cooking spray. (See note.)
• Cream butter, peanut butter, and both sugars in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, about 2-3 minutes. Add egg, vanilla, milk, baking soda, and salt and mix until combined. Slowly add flour and mix until dough just comes together.
• Press the cookie dough into the prepared pan. Unwrap all the candy bars and press them in even rows along the top of the dough.
• Bake for 22-24 minutes, until it gets golden on top. Let cool before slicing so that the candy has a chance to re-harden.

Recipe Nutrition

Calories: 2449kcal | Carbohydrates: 298g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 134g | Saturated Fat: 75g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 35g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 115mg | Sodium: 1283mg | Potassium: 1221mg | Fiber: 20g | Sugar: 209g | Vitamin A: 906IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 285mg | Iron: 8mg

Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Author Dorothy Kern

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