Taste of Home
Behr Track Cookie Bars
TOTAL TIME: Prep: 30 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min. + cooling
YIELD: about 4 dozen
The holidays are the perfect time to indulge in these ooey-gooey, salty-sweet peanut butter bars. A lot of people comment that the pretzels in the filling are a pleasant surprise. Just make sure to cut cookie bars small—they're super rich. —Megan Behr, Marion, Iowa
Ingredients
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1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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2/3 cup confectioners' sugar
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1/3 cup baking cocoa
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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1 cup butter, melted
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CARAMEL LAYER:
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1 package (13 ounces) caramels
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3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
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1-1/2 cups lightly crushed pretzels
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PEANUT BUTTER LAYER:
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1 cup creamy peanut butter
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1/4 cup butter, softened
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1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
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CHOCOLATE LAYER:
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2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
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3 tablespoons shortening
Directions
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1.
Preheat oven to 350°. Whisk flour, sugar, cocoa and salt; stir in butter. Press onto bottom of a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake until set, 10-15 minutes. Cool completely.
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2.
Microwave caramels and cream, covered, on high in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring occasionally, until melted, 3-5 minutes. Spread over crust; cover with pretzels. Refrigerate until set.
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3.
Meanwhile, combine peanut butter and butter; beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread over pretzels. Return to refrigerator.
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4.
In the microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave-safe bowl; stir until smooth. Spread over peanut butter layer. Refrigerate 15 minutes before cutting into bars.
Nutrition Facts
1 piece: 185 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 134mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
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