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Test Kitchen Approved

Hail Mary Peanut Butter Bars

VegetarianGastro-PubStove-Top

Time: 2 hours 25 minutes

Yield: 20 servings

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About

You throw a Hail Mary in football when you absolutely need that longshot score to win. In contrast, you make Hail Mary Peanut Butter Bars when you want the winning dessert to be on the table for game time! This dessert is stacked, from the smooth chocolate top to the creamy, sweetened peanut butter, to the rich, buttery caramel! And then the crust is crumbly and buttery and just delightful! Hail Mary Peanut Butter Bars are a layered luscious luxury that will make dessert time a victory!

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Ingredients

  • For the crust:
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1/3 cup baking cocoa
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup butter, melted
  • For the caramel layer:
  • 1 (13-ounce) package caramels
  • 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
  • 1 1/2 cups pretzels, lightly crushed
  • For the peanut butter layer:
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
  • For the chocolate layer:
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 3 tablespoons shortening

Directions

Step 1 -Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 2 -Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.

Step 3 -In a bowl, add the flour, 2/3 cup of the confectioners' sugar, the cocoa, and the salt and whisk to combine.

Step 4 -Add 1 cup of the melted butter and stir to combine.

Step 5 -Press the crust mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.

Step 6 -Bake the crust until set, about 10-15 minutes.

Step 7 -Allow the crust to cool completely, about 30 minutes.

Step 8 -In a microwave-safe bowl, add the caramels and the heavy cream.

Step 9 -Cover the bowl and microwave it on high in 30-second increments, stirring the mixture occasionally, until melted and combined, about 3-5 minutes.

Step 10 -Spread the caramel over the cooled crust.

Step 11 -Cover the caramel layer with the pretzels.

Step 12 -Refrigerate and allow the caramel to set, about 20-30 minutes.

Step 13 -In a bowl, add the peanut butter and the remaining softened butter and stir to combine.

Step 14 -Add the remaining confectioner's sugar and beat until smooth.

Step 15 -Spread the peanut butter mixture over the pretzel layer.

Step 16 -Return the pan to the refrigerator and chill until set, about 20-30 minutes.

Step 17 -In a microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and the shortening.

Step 18 -Microwave the bowl in 30-second increments until melted, about 2 minutes.

Step 19 -Stir the chocolate mixture until smooth.

Step 20 -Spread the chocolate mixture over the peanut butter mixture layer.

Step 21 -Refrigerate until the chocolate is just set, about 15 minutes.

Step 22 -Cut into bars and serve.

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