Peanut butter bars don’t have to keep every ingredient mixed through the dough. I save half the dough and use the space between the two layers for caramel and chopped Reese’s Cups.
The bottom layer goes into the pan first. Melted caramel gets poured across it, Reese’s Cups cover the caramel, and only then does the remaining peanut butter dough go on top. The filling stays in the center instead of disappearing into the batter.
Peanut Butter Goes Into the Dough
Start by combining ⅔ cup melted butter with two cups brown sugar, beating until creamy.
Add one teaspoon vanilla, then beat in three eggs one at a time. Mix in one cup creamy peanut butter until smooth.
In another bowl, whisk 2½ cups flour with two teaspoons baking powder and ½ teaspoon salt. Add the dry ingredients to the peanut butter mixture, then stir in one cup semi-sweet chocolate chips.
I Put Only Half the Dough in the Pan
Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, but don’t transfer all the dough into it.
Spread half across the bottom of the pan and keep the other half aside.
That first layer becomes the base for the caramel rather than mixing the caramel through the dough.
I Melt About 30 Caramels With Heavy Cream
The caramel layer starts with an 11-ounce package of caramels, or about 30 individual pieces.
Put them in a microwave-safe bowl with two tablespoons heavy cream. Microwave in 45-second intervals, stirring between each one, until the mixture is melted and smooth.
Pour the warm caramel across the peanut butter dough in the pan.
Chopped Reese’s Cups Go Over the Caramel
Unwrap and chop one 12-ounce package of mini Reese’s Cups.
Scatter the pieces over the caramel layer. They don’t get stirred into the peanut butter dough with the chocolate chips.
That leaves the center of each bar with caramel and pieces of peanut butter cups between the two dough layers.
The Remaining Dough Goes on Last
Drop the reserved peanut butter dough over the Reese’s Cups.
The dough doesn’t need to be poured or mixed into the caramel. Spread it across the top with your fingertips, taking care not to pull the filling out of place.
The pan now has peanut butter dough on the bottom, caramel and Reese’s Cups through the center, and more dough on top.
I Bake the Layers Together
Bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes.
Check the center with a toothpick. Once it comes out clean, remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool before slicing.
The caramel could have been another ingredient stirred into the dough, but I prefer giving it its own place. Starting with only half the peanut butter dough creates room for a full layer of melted caramel and chopped Reese’s Cups before the rest goes on top.
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