Peanut Butter & Chocolate Buckeye Bars

I really wanted to bake something yesterday but I just couldn't decide on what sounded good or what I wanted to make. I saw that we had a package of Betty Crocker Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip cookie mix sitting in the cupboard and so it came to me to make some kind of peanut butter and chocolate bar. I decided to do a take on one of my boyfriend's favorite Christmas treats, buckeye's or peanut butter balls, which he usually only gets at Christmas time. These little bars were way easy to make and much less time consuming then buckeyes.....they were smooth and creamy and peanut buttery and chocolately and they had the added bonus of the cookie base. Let's just say my boyfriend really, really enjoyed them...you should have seen his face when he took his first bite! It always puts a smile on my face when others enjoy the things I make. If you love chocolate and peanut butter, you will enjoy these bars and they go a long way because they are very sweet and rich!

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

-1 (17.5 oz.) package Betty Crocker Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip cookie mix

-1/3 cup vegetable oil

-2 tablespoons water

-1 large egg

For the Filling:

-1 1/2 cups peanut butter

-1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine

-1 teaspoon vanilla extract

-1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

For the Topping:

-2 cups milk chocolate chips

-2 tablespoons shortening or butter

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13x9 inch baking pan with foil extending over the edges and spray with non-stick cooking spray.

2) For the crust: Mix cookie mix, oil, water, and egg together until blended. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake 10-12 minutes and cool completely.

3) For the filling: Mix peanut butter, butter, and vanilla with an electric mixer until well blended. Add the powdered sugar, a little at a time with mixer until well blended. Spread evenly onto cooled cookie crust.

4) For the topping: Melt 2 cups chocolate chips and shortening in a double boiler until completely melted and smooth. Pour over peanut butter filling and spread evenly.