Chocolate-covered Peanut Butter Bars

Total Time: 38 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 18 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 16
• 3/8 cup applesauce
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, separated into 1/4 cups
• 1 egg
• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Recipe

• 1 heat the oven to 350 degrees.
• 2 spray an 8x8 or 9x9 pan with cooking spray. set aside.
• 3 combine the applesauce, unsalted butter, and sugar. blend until light and creamy.
• 4 add the vanilla and 1/4 cup of the peanut butter, blend until smooth.
• 5 blend in the large egg, or 1/4 cup of egg beaters if you are substituting.
• 6 mix together the flour and baking powder, and add it to the wet ingredients.
• 7 put the batter in the greased pan and bake for 18-20 minutes if using an 8x8, 15-18 if using a 9x9 pan.
• 8 remove the bars from the oven and allow to cool for at least 10 minutes. meanwhile, start the topping.
• 9 combine 1/2 cup of chocolate chips and 1/4 of peanut butter in a small saucepan. set over low heat, and, stirring frequently, melt the two together until they are completely smooth and combined.
• 10 spread the melted mixture over the bars and allow to cool completely. cut into 16 bars.