These decadent, simple to make chocolate, peanutty bars are supposed to be travelling around the world in a suitcase to Korea.
From Korea they are supposed to meet my son from China, where they are to be travelling back to Shanghai to be devoured by number one son and his roommates.
Instead they are sitting in my freezer, each individually wrapped in a giant zip lock bag. Not just one pan, but two.
So yes, I now have approximately 48 totally enticing, calorie laden, magic chocolate peanut bars in my freezer. And I just started Weight Watchers...
Blame it on Manservant. Within a matter of hours he canceled his trip to Korea because the person he was supposed to meet wasn't available.
Of course he already had had Alex book a flight to Korea so they could meet and hug and eat said layer bars.
I spent the weekend buying gifts since this happened so last minute, and then woke up at 5 AM to tell Manservant good bye only to find out his trip was postponed.
So Odie San traveled to Korea anyway, where he met friends and ended up having a good time. But I felt bad!!!
Supposedly Manservant will be flying next week, but this time number one son will know not to book a flight to Korea; instead he will make Manservant meet him in Shanghai.
At least that is the plan. It isn't like Manservant doesn't have vacation days to spare. I don't believe he has taken one all year. I don't even think he has taken a holiday all year.
Is that despair in my voice? Or anger? He tells me his goal by the end of the year is to achieve balance.
He tells me he has KPI's to meet in order to keep himself happy and ultimately me!
I don't care what he calls it, but key performance indicators in my life are pretty sad right now. It seems all I do is bounce around between his schedule and that is getting old.
It means me not having a schedule, because I never know what to expect from his.
Well. This has got to stop! I just did Pilates for the last month and should have signed up for some art classes.
I even started Weight Watchers last week, so at least I have a social outing. Hah! Don't expect any great changes on this blog though.
One must learn to work around challenges; kind of like working around Manservant...
These Easy Chocolate Peanut Layer Bars are a riff on my 7 Layer Magic Bars. They aren't quite as sweet, because of the peanut butter, but just as delicious.
Manservant preferred these to my regular ones, but he is a peanut lover. My daughter prefers this pumpkin layered version!
More to try:
Tin Roof Bars with Caramel
Magic Cookie Bars
Magic Pumpkin Butter Bars
Chocolate Peanut Butter Bites
To pin for future reference:
Recipe
Easy Chocolate Peanut Layer Bars
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 25 Minutes
- Total Time: 45 Minutes
- Yield: 1 13 x 9 pan 1x
- Category: Cookies/Bars
- Cuisine: American
Description
This riff on magic bars or hello dolly bars is made with chocolate and peanut butter. Can't go wrong with that!
Ingredients
1 ½ c graham cracker crumbs or peanut butter cookie crumbs
1 stick butter
1 can condensed milk
½ c peanut butter
9 oz chocolate chips
9 oz peanut butter chips
1 to 1 and ½ cups salted peanuts, coarsely chopped
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350. Place a 13 x 9 pan in oven with the stick of butter. Let butter melt. This takes about 5 minutes. Take out of oven and tilt pan until butter covers pan evenly.
Top with graham cracker crumbs and press down to create a crust.
Heat peanut butter in microwave for about 30 seconds or until softened. Whisk into condensed milk. Pour condensed milk evenly across crumbs. With a spatula, lightly spread condensed milk evenly over crumbs.
Sprinkle with chocolate chips, then peanut butter chips and then the salted peanuts.
Bake for about 25 minutes or until golden around the edges. Chill and then cut into squares.
Carol at Wild Goose Mama says
OMG I would be in deep deep deep doo doo if these bars were sitting in my freezer. I would still be in that deep doo doo even they were sitting in my neighbor's freezer! Your husband really blew it this time--lol. I hope your son didn't know they were even coming. This situation would have been a heartbreaker for him.
SavoringTime in the Kitchen says
I'll bet your husband loves it when a trip is cancelled and he doesn't have to sit on a plane for hours! Too bad these delicious bars didn't make it to your son, though. They look soooo good! Next time 🙂
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
What a delight for eyes and mouth. These bars look incredibly delish — mouth-watering good. I wish I could savor them right away. Thanks for this lovely share, Abbe! 🙂
Sharon D says
Oo..these look to die for! I wouldn't have been able to resist eating more than I should if these were on my table. Haha!
GiGi Eats says
OMG my heart eyes. They're falling out of my head because they're so in love with these photos of this delicious recipe. THEY CAN'T EVEN!
Karen Harris says
Oh these look perfect for a coffee morning with a friend (hint, hint). So sorry husband isn't with your son, but so glad he is home with you for awhile longer.
Angie Schneider says
So chocolatey and loaded with nuts...these bars look decadent, Abbe.
Tricia Buice says
I could never travel so much - my husband travels a good bit but not like that. Anyway - I would travel to see you to have one of these! Gorgeous photos Abbe - they sound amazing. Hope you all get together soon.
Holly @ abakershouse.com says
I am happy to help you eat your way through these layer bars! So sorry the travel plans did not go as originally planned but I hope the upcoming trip is a good one for your husband. Can you plan a vacation and go along too?
Abbe Odenwalder says
Don't I wish? If I could travel with him I would. But cost is still an issue and we do have a big trip planned for all of us in January. But you are right. The plan is to be able to go with him! One day!
Liz Berg says
Your magic cookie bars look fantastic---I'm certain they will be gobbled up when they finally reach China! Though I'd probably have to sample at least a couple. Good luck with WW!
Abbe Odenwalder says
If they ever reach China. He's supposed to leave on Monday for Korea, that is if his passport and visa are returned on time. He stresses me like crazy! Then if that works, he should be in China not this weekend but next! Of course, that is after he gets back from a conference in Texas on Friday. Thanks Liz!
Adri says
Well, those look pretty darn good to me, and think of it this way- you'll really be able to work on your self-control with those goodies in your freezer.
Abbe Odenwalder says
And that is the one thing I'm not good at, Adri! At least they are hidden deep in the recesses and individually wrapped which makes it harder for me!
Kitchen Riffs says
Well, at least Number One Son will be able to look at the pictures of these. 😉 Manservant travels an insane amount -- that'd kill me, but obviously he shrives on it. Anyway, these look spectacular. Love the combo of chocolate and peanuts. And nice that they freeze well. 🙂 Anyway, thanks for this.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Hah Hah! That is if he reads this! He travels at least 70 percent of the time and the hardest part is that it is international which means he is always exhausted. I think he is finished thriving on it and is looking for balance. Thanks John!