Shelly's Recipe

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BARS WITH HOT FUDGE SAUCE

Category: Bars

For chocolate layer
Vegetable oil for greasing pan
7 oz fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), chopped
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup salted dry-roasted peanuts

For peanut butter layer
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural)
3/4 cup confectioners sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup chilled heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla

For hot fudge sauce
1/3 cup heavy cream
3 tbsp light corn syrup
3 tbsp packed brown sugar
2 tbsp Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
3 1/2 oz fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), chopped
1/2 tsp vanilla

Make chocolate layer:

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with foil, allowing 2 inches of foil to hang over 2 opposite ends of pan, and lightly brush foil (except overhang) with oil.

Melt chocolate with butter, sugar, and salt in a double boiler or a large metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water,
whisking occasionally, until smooth. Remove top of double boiler or bowl from heat and whisk in eggs and vanilla, then stir in peanuts.

Pour batter into baking pan and bake until set and edges are slightly puffed, about 15 minutes. Transfer cake in pan to a rack to cool completely.

Make peanut butter layer: Beat cream cheese, peanut butter, confectioners sugar, and salt in a bowl until combined well, about 4 minutes.

Beat cream with vanilla until it just holds stiff peaks, then gently fold into peanut butter mixture until just combined. Spread mixture evenly on top of chocolate layer and freeze, pan covered with foil, until firm, about 2 hours.

Make hot fudge sauce: Bring cream, syrup, sugar, cocoa, salt, and chocolate to a boil in a 1-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring until chocolate is melted. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently,
until thickened, about 3 minutes, then remove from heat. Stir in vanilla until incorporated. Cool sauce to warm.

To serve: Carefully lift cake from pan by grasping overhang. Trim 1/4 inch from
edges of cake and discard, then cut into 8 bars. Peel off foil and serve bars with sauce.

NOTES: Hot fudge sauce can be made 1 week ahead and cooled completely, then chilled
in an airtight container or jar. Reheat before using.

Leftover bars can be frozen, individually wrapped in plastic wrap, up to 4 days.

Serves 6-8