John's cocoa nutty bars
Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Makes 4 dozen bars
Natural-style peanut butter doesn't work in this recipe created by then-10-year-old John Manos of Naperville, Ill., which won honorable mention in a Chicago Tribune recipe contest.
INGREDIENTS
3 cups semisweet chocolate chips, divided
3/4 cup butter cut into tablespoons
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural-style), softened in microwave oven
1/2 to 2/3 cups chopped peanuts
INSTRUCTIONS
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Melt 1 1/2 cups of the chocolate chips and the butter in a large saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly; let cool. Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt in small bowl; set aside.
Beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until combined; gradually add the dry ingredients, beating well. Add the reserved chocolate mixture; beat well.
Spread the dough onto a greased 15-by-10 inch rimmed baking sheet; bake until firm, about 12-15 minutes. Cool until barely warm, about 20 minutes.
Spread the peanut butter over the chocolate layer; sprinkle with the peanuts. Melt the remaining 1 1/2 cups of the chocolate chips; spread while warm over the nut layer. Let cool completely; cut into squares.
Per bar: 154 calories, 51% of calories from fat, 9 g fat, 4 g saturated fat, 25 mg cholesterol, 17 g carbohydrates, 3 g protein, 59 mg sodium, 1 g fiber
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