How many of you have become hopelessly obsessed with Pinterest? {Raising hand}
C'mon... don't be shy. You can come clean, there are no secrets here. {At this point, you've got to have plenty of dirt on me, so we're even.} 😉
For those of you that haven't yet discovered Pinterest {or are still on the "waiting list"... what's that all about??}, I'll tell you a little about it. Pinterest is a site where you can can keep a visual collection of ideas, pictures, and bookmarks on categorized "Boards", just like you might keep a bulletin board or vision board at home. The only problem with it seems to be that once you sit down and start browsing Pinterest, it's nearly impossible to pry yourself away.
It happens without warning. Starts out with a few innocent clicks and leads to digital idea hoarding. Because, you know, you might actually find the time to brilliantly repurpose every single empty container in your house and find the perfect scrap pieces of wood to build yourself a custom table/cabinet/shelving unit/headboard.
The worst part about Pinterest? You spend so much time finding GREAT ideas that you don't ever get up from behind the computer screen long enough to try them out. And then you feel guilty. Which makes you spend some more time clicking around trying to find pretty things to make yourself feel better.
It's a vicious cycle, folks. One that leads to trips to Home Depot, a longer "Honey Do" list, and more Nutella recipes in your life. {Which isn't necessarily a bad thing...}
You've been warned.
Anyway, now that I've thoroughly forewarned you about getting sucked into the madness, I must share with you a recipe that I found and actually made. It was love at first pin.
Chubby Hubby Bars
If you love the ice cream version of this stuff, you will want to marry the bar version. {Ha, and it has the word "hubby" in it! So clever.}
I adapted the recipe I found on Pinterest just a bit because I wanted to include some homemade Peanut Butter Caramel I had seen on an episode of Throwdown with Bobby Flay.
I also added a little malted milk powder into the cookie dough {which also happens to contain semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped up pretzel pieces... yum} to mimic the Vanilla Malt Ice Cream that all the Chubby Hubby goodness comes swirled into.
I have a feeling finds like these are only going to make my Pinterest addiction worse... but this is definitely a recipe you'll want to "repin"!
*You can follow me AND my addiction on Pinterest by clicking here.
Chubby Hubby Bars
Adapted from a recipe found Cookies & Cups through Pinterest
For the Peanut Butter Caramel
From Food Network
¼ white sugar
¼ water
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup smooth peanut butter
⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon corn syrup
Pinch of salt
1. Heat heavy cream in microwave or in a small saucepan until steaming {not boiling}.
2. In a small saucepan, heat sugar and water on high heat without stirring until it boils. Allow syrup to turn a light amber color. Keep an eye on this as it can burn very easily.
3. Carefully {it will bubble & boil} add heated heavy cream and whisk. Allow to cook for another 30 seconds to a minute.
4. Remove from heat and wisk in peanut butter, vanilla, corn syrup, and salt until smooth.
5. Pour into a heat safe bowl and set aside to cool.
For The Cookie Base:
2 sticks softened butter
½ cup white sugar
1 ½ cups brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all purpose flour
¼ cup malted milk powder {I used Carnation Malted Milk Powder}
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ cup heavy cream
Approx. 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Approx. 1 ½ cups salted pretzels, coarsely chopped
Pretzels for garnish
- Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 9×13 pan lightly with cooking spray.
- Beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla, mix until incorporated.
- On low speed add in salt, baking soda, malted milk powder, and flour a little at a time, mixing until just incorporated.
- Using a wooden spoon or spatula, stir in approx. 1 cup of the chocolate chips and pretzel pieces by hand, as not to break up the pieces too small.
- Spread in prepared pan and bake for 25 minutes. Let cool completely.
- When cooled pour peanut butter caramel over the bars and spread evenly.
- Chill in fridge for 15 minutes to set caramel.
- On the stovetop or in a microwave safe measuring cup, heat ¼ cup cream until steaming, and while hot, pour over approx. 1 cup chocolate chips in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and chocolate is completely melted. Carefully spread chocolate over set caramel. While still wet, add pretzels for garnish if desired.
- Put back in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or until chocolate is set.
- Cut into squares when ready to serve.
Trina says
Yum! And now it's all your fault that I'm on that "waiting list" ... grrr!! Like I needed another reason not to be able to pry myself away from the computer LOL 🙂
These truly look and sound ahmazingly delicious!!
Ooooh and I'm loving all the photos - that new camera is amazing! I know I love mine!!
The Kitchen Prep says
Thanks, Trina! I was scared of the new camera for about a week with all the buttons and dials, but we are now bonding. 😉 And I do apologize ahead of time for what will most likely be hours, days, and weeks that are stolen from your life due to Pinterest!! Just set limits of how long you're allowed to stay on & you should be ok!
Anonymous says
How much chocolate do you use in the ganache? The recipe says to stir in the chocolate chips into the cookie base but doesn't give an amount for the ganache.
The Kitchen Prep says
Hi There! Sorry about that little lack of detail.. I'm pretty sure I used about a cup of chips in the base (maybe a tiny bit less), and about a cup for the ganache (maybe a tiny bit more). The original recipe called for a lot more for the ganache, but I had plenty of ganache using only 1 cup of chips. Hope that helps!
Mercedes says
These look so incredibly delicious! I love the idea of peanut butter caramel!
The Kitchen Prep says
Thanks! The peanut butter caramel is fabulous. (Thank you, Mr. Bobby Flay!) I've been thinking about other recipes I can add it to... though it's definitely good enough to eat by itself! 😉
JehanP says
Yup...I am absolutely obsessed with pinterest also..how can you not be??? Anyway this looks sooo darn good. I've been seeing alot of desserts with pretzels...I need to try that soon.
The Kitchen Prep says
Glad to know I'm not the only one who has some serious Pinterest love. 🙂 The pretzels definitely are a fun & yummy addition to a sweet treat.. let me know how you like it!
Rachel (teacher-chef) says
Hi, my name is Rachel & yes - I am addicted to Pinterest!
I love these bars though... my "fat pants" thank you!
The Kitchen Prep says
Haha! We'll start a Pinterest rehab group... I'll bring the snacks! 😉 And yes, these definitely fall into the "in moderation" category, but hey, one addiction at a time, right?!
Jessica Graefe Martinez says
Reading your blog was like listening to a friend talk to me on the phone. I agreed with everything you said and nodded while reading 🙂 I am an avid Pinner and I love that you have such great photos on your site. Keep up the great work!
The Kitchen Prep says
Hi Jessica! Thanks so much for the compliment, it means a lot. I feel like I am talking to friends when I write my posts, so I'm glad it reads that way, too! Thanks for reading and Happy Pinning! 😉
Faye says
This is the best recipe for Chubby Hubby bars I have seen so far. Definitely making these and definitely addicted to pinterest!
The Kitchen Prep says
Thanks Faye, they were delicious, for sure! Please let me know how you like them when you get around to making them! 🙂
The Kitchen Prep says
Yes!! 1/4 cup... thanks for catching that! 🙂 Editing right now!
Faye says
Making them as we speak...the recipe says 1/4 malted milk powder. I'm assuming that's 1/4 cup and not 1/4 tsp?
Faye says
By the way, I made these for a bake sale at work. The president of the company bought one bar (for $20!!), took one bite and asked me if I was married. That is how good these bars are. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe and sorry for taking so long to let you know what a hit they were!
The Kitchen Prep says
Haha! That's so awesome! Thanks so much for sharing, I just posted your comment on my Facebook page because I loved it so much! 🙂
Callie says
These look awesome! Just pinned this recipe! Thanks for sharing!
The Kitchen Prep says
You're welcome, Callie! Enjoy! 🙂
ann says
These look heavenly! Love the name, too!
thekitchenprep says
@Ann - Thank you! They are a favorite, for sure. And we can all thank Ben & Jerry's for the fun name! 😉