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Chubby Hubby Bars

Chubby Hubby Bars! Inspired by the chunky ice cream, these cookie bars feature a malted cookie base studded with crushed pretzels and chocolate chips, topped with a luscious peanut butter caramel and topped with chocolate ganache.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 18 servings
Author: The Kitchen Prep

Ingredients

For the Peanut Butter Caramel

  • ¼ granulated sugar
  • ¼ water
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup smooth peanut butter
  • ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt

For Base

  • 1 tablespoon corn syrup
  • 16 tablespoons sticks softened butter
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 1½ cups brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2½ cups all purpose flour
  • ¼ cup malted milk powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1½ cups salted pretzels coarsely chopped, extra for garnish

Instructions

For Peanut Butter Caramel

  • Heat heavy cream in microwave or in a small saucepan until just steaming.
  • 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.)
  • Carefully add heated heavy cream and whisk. Allow to cook for another 30 seconds to a minute.
  • Remove from heat and whisk in peanut butter, vanilla, corn syrup, and salt until smooth.
  • Pour into a heat safe bowl and set aside to cool.

Make Base

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. 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.

Notes

Adapted from Cookies & Cups , PB Caramel from Food Network