Chocolate Peanut Butter Bacon Bars

I've heard a lot lately about how amazing the combination of chocolate and bacon is over the past few years ~ I even remember someone on the Food Network raving about straight-up chocolate-dipped bacon {I think it was Duff from Ace of Cakes}.  This Betty Crocker number is the perfect recipe to test out the choco-bacon waters.

Side note:  this type of dessert couldn't be more perfect for those who don't like their sweets too sweet ~ peanut butter and bacon add lots of salty goodness, and semi-sweet chocolate is the same as dark chocolate.  These treats could be just the thing to serve up at your Super Bowl party this weekend, when the chips and dips have disappeared half-time is in full effect.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bacon Bars

Ingredients
1     pouch Betty Crocker peanut butter cookie mix
1/3  cup vegetable oil
2     Tbsp maple-flavored syrup
1     egg
10   slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled {about 3/4 cup}
1/2  cup chopped peanuts
1     cup semi-sweet chocolate chips {6 ounces}

Directions
Heat oven to 350 degrees F.  Lightly spray 9- or 8-inch square pan with cooking spray.

In large bowl, stir together cookie mix, oil, syrup, and egg until soft dough forms.  Reserve 1/4 cup bacon for garnish.  Stir remaining bacon and peanuts into dough.  Press evenly in pan.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from oven; sprinkle with chocolate chips.  Return to oven; bake 1 minute.  Immediately spread chocolate over bars.  Sprinkle reserved 1/4 cup bacon over chocolate.  Cool completely, about 1 hour or until chocolate is set.

Cut into 16 pieces {4 rows by 4 rows}.  Store tightly covered in refrigerator.



xoxo
Bean