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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
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)
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
Click here to see more PEANUT BUTTER recipes!
Bakery Style XL Peanut Butter Cookies
Sweets from friends:
Almond Joy Gooey Rolls, Happy Food Healthy Life
Homemade Almond Joys, Something Swanky
Almond Joy Bites, Will Cook for Smiles
These sound so good… I off to buy my mini AJ’s now, lol. Thank you for such a wonderful recipe.
What a great idea! So easy, but so good!
Although I don’t like peanut butter, these look amazing. Think I’m gonna give it a try 🙂
Enjoy!
I’m going to start grabbing bags of bite sized Almond Joys so I can make these bars!
Love Almond Joys. These look delicious!
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