Friday, May 14, 2010

crazy-good chocolate peanut butter squares

Last week was my friend Colin's birthday. His fiancé specified "no gifts" at his celebratory dinner, but I couldn't resist. Colin is one of my favorite people. Always quick with a kind word, he has the ability to hone in on the one person who doesn't know anyone at a party and ask them lots of polite, interested questions until they feel at home. Or slowly back away. He will help you move. He will come to your poetry reading/interpretive dance performance/bake sale. He is also very fun to drink with. (Unless he drinks too much, and in that case, he is fun to laugh at.) At the very least, the guy deserves some cookies.

I emailed his
fiancé and asked about his dessert preferences and she quickly wrote back "anything in the chocolate family." For a second, I wondered if that was actually her dessert preference (kidding, Anne!), then I got started thinking about chocolate cookies. 
Which seemed kind of boring. As did brownies. But I needed something transportable that could be brought to dinner and consumed much later in the evening. So I grabbed my trusty dessert bible: How to be a Domestic Goddess and remembered a fool-proof recipe for chocolate peanut butter squares that I made for a party a very long time ago. It blew my mind that I hadn't made the squares a second time. They are nothing fancy, just a thick layer of chocolate atop a thick layer of soft peanut buttery crust. But they are mind-numbingly good. Like Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, but in bar cookie form. And without the chemicals.

And the kicker: you don't have to bake them. Seriously.

My only regret is that I didn't bring more to Colin's party. The Tupperware I used was not that big, so I only managed to squeeze about a dozen squares. After the ice cream cake was served, I put the container out on the table and they got gobbled up immediately. Colin, did you even get one? 

Meanwhile, Dan and I still had half a pan left at home. We are trying to not be greedy and gross and are limiting ourselves to one square (okay, two) a day, but that is something akin to torture.

Chocolate peanut butter squares

From Nigella Lawson's How to be a Domestic Goddess. Cut these very small when serving. Trust me.
(Makes about 48 very small squares)

For the peanut butter layer:

9-inch square pan, greased
1/4 cup dark brown sugar, scant
1 1/3 cups confectioners' sugar, scant
1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter (leave it out of the fridge for a bit so it's not rock hard)

For the chocolate layer:

7 oz. milk chocolate
4 oz. dark or bittersweet chocolate
1 Tbsp. unsalted butter

In a large bowl, stir all the ingredients for the peanut butter layer together until smooth, with a mixer or with a spoon. Nigella says, "You will find, either way, that some of the dark brown sugar stays in nubbly but very small, lumps, but don't worry about that." Press the sandy mixture into the brownie pan and make the surface as even as possible.


To make the chocolate topping, melt the chocolates and butter together in a microwave (for a minute or two on medium) or over a double boiler over low heat. Spread the chocolate over the peanut butter layer. Put the pan in the refrigerator to set for an hour. When the chocolate has hardened, cut into small squares.

14 comments:

Barbara said...

What does "scant" mean?

Casey@Good. Food. Stories. said...

Making these TODAY to combat the weird Keebler sticks I let Dan bring home from the store! (Also, I see we eat the same peanut butter - a new fun fact.)

Lisa said...

Barbara: "Just under." (But, really, I measured out the full amount and it was a-okay.)

Casey: Fun fact indeed! Hope you enjoy them.

Colin P. Delaney said...

Your post is making my ears red -- thanks for the kinds words.

(and I had not just one, but TWO squares and they blew my mind -- the perfect topper to the party)

Dan said...

Yes, these are outstanding. I've had before and look forward to more tonight!!

Daniel said...

Colin, making your ears red is easy. You're already a fine shade of Irish pink.

Maggie said...

Delicious!

Anne said...

Lisa Cericola - you are nothing short of classy. What a lovely post - would you mind writing my wedding vows for me?!

But on to more important things, this dessert was delicious! The no-bake piece is the real seller. Colin's favorite dessert is probably brownies, but we have such a terrible oven, nearly impossible to evenly heat, that baking a dessert isn't an option. In other words, I will be making a lot of these chocolate peanut butter squares!

Unknown said...

Peanut butter and chocolate, perfect combo. I love that you don't have to bake them. Will give a go this week!

Lisa said...

Maggie: Thanks!

Anne: Since my efforts to find you cheap catering did not work out I would be happy to write your vows. ;)

Tender Branson: I hope you like them. No bake a big plus!

Unknown said...

Lisa,
I made these last night and they were so delicious, the pan barely made it out of my house and to the party! Thanks for sharing!
Kate

Lisa said...

Kate: YAY! Glad they worked out for you.

tara said...

These taste great, but I can't get them to cut into nice squares. Even with my sharpest knife, the chocolate breaks up in messy ways instead of nice neat squares. Any tips for me?

Lisa said...

Tara: Mine were a bit rough around the edges too. I found that cutting them at room temp does help.

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