Chocolate-Peanut Butter-Pretzel Bars (No Bake!)

or…So Easy to Make, So Addicting (Only 20 minutes to make!)

 

 

I am always looking for a dessert/sweet that is super-delicious and easy to make, and in a ideal world, not too terribly unhealthy. And I think I’ve found my new favorite. It has my favorite flavor combination, chocolate and peanut butter, but in “adult” form – bittersweet chocolate and natural peanut butter, the kind without the added sugar, the kind you have to stir.  But don’t get the idea this is a sugar-free treat, it’s more a sugar-controlled treat.

I know you’ve seen these, they are all over Pinterest and have been featured on Food Network.  Most versions use 12 Tablespoons of butter.  Not that I don’t love butter, but in my health quest, I tried substituting 8 Tablespoons of coconut oil, a healthier fat.  This made particular sense in this recipe since I am using all-natural peanut butter, which sometimes can be runny in a recipe.  I also cut the added sugar by 1/3 and used bittersweet chocolate instead of milk chocolate. 

The result? Soooo good, soooo addicting.  And maybe a little too easy to make. They will be calling your name from the refrigerator, so be sure to have friends with whom you can share them. Or maybe not. 

But give them a try.  This may be your new favorite easy recipe as well.

Chocolate-Peanut Butter-Pretzel Squares

Ingredients:

  

2 c crushed pretzel rods (about 16 pretzel rods)

1/2 c coconut oil, melted

1 c confectioner’s sugar

1 1/4 c Natural peanut butter, smooth (Adams is a favorite)

1 1/2 c bittersweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

Crush pretzel rods until they are large crumbs.  This can be done by pulsing in a food processor, or by crushing in a gallon-size zip closure bag with a rolling pin.

In a large bowl, mix together pretzel crumbs, confectioner’s sugar, the coconut oil, and 1 c of the peanut butter.

Press into an ungreased 9×13 pan.

Next, place the chocolate chips and remaining 1/4 c peanut butter in a microwaveable dish. Melt on HIGH, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth. For my microwave, this took a total of 1 minute, 10 seconds.

Spread over pretzel mixture, and return to the refrigerator until set. This takes about an hour.

Cut into squares with a sharp knife.  Enjoy!