Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Bars

1. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
2. Peanut Butter Base – In a medium, microwave-safe bowl add the white chocolate chips and heat for 1 minute on high power to soften.
3. Remove bowl from microwave, add 1 cup peanut butter (use Jif, Skippy, or similar because natural or homemade peanut butter could separate and may not set up well and/or the bars could turn very oily), and heat on high power to melt, about 1 minute or as necessary in your microwave; white chocolate scorches easily so keep a careful eye on it. Stir until mixture is smooth and combined.
4. Add 1 cup crispy rice cereal and stir to combine.
5. Turn mixture out in prepared pan in an even, flat layer, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula. Place pan in freezer to chill.
6. Chocolate Fudge Top – In a medium, microwave-safe bowl (you can use the same one, just wipe out with a paper towel) add the semi-sweet chocolate chips and heat for 1 minute on high power to soften.
7. Remove bowl from microwave, add 1 1/2 cups peanut butter, butter, and heat on high power to melt, about 1 minute. Stir until mixture is smooth and combined.
8. Add 1 1/2 cups crisp rice cereal, and stir to combine.
9. Remove pan from freezer (make sure the first layer has set up somewhat before adding the chocolate, if not, return pan to freezer for 5 more minutes) and carefully turn chocolate mixture out into prepared pan in an even, flat layer, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula. Place pan in freezer to chill. Allow bars to chill for 60 to 90 minutes, or until set, before serving. If bars have gotten too firm to slice, let them sit at room temp for 10 minutes. I store these bars in the fridge because they get a little too soft at room temp. Bars will keep airtight in the fridge for about 1 month and in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Original Recipes visit: Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Bars @ averiecooks.com