Peanut Butter-caramel-chocolate Bars

Total Time: 3 hrs Preparation Time: 2 hrs Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• 1 (18 1/4 ounce) package yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 20 miniature peanut butter cups, chopped
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 (12 1/4 ounce) jar caramel topping
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup salted peanuts
• 1 (16 ounce) can milk chocolate frosting (or use your favorite recipe)
• 1/2 cup chopped salted peanuts

Recipe

• 1 make the bars: in a large mixing bowl, combine the dry cake mix, butter, and egg; beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until no longer crumbly, about 3 minutes.
• 2 stir in the peanut butter cups; press the mixture into a greased 9 x 13 baking pan.
• 3 bake in a preheated 350°f oven for 18-22 minutes or until lightly browned.
• 4 meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine the cornstarch, caramel topping, and peanut butter until smooth.
• 5 cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture comes to a boil, about 25 minutes.
• 6 cook and stir 1-2 minutes longer; remove pan from heat and stir in the peanuts.
• 7 spread the mixture evenly over the warm crust; bake for 6-7 minutes longer, or until almost set.
• 8 cool completely on a wire rack.
• 9 spread evenly with the frosting; sprinkle with chopped peanuts.
• 10 refrigerate for at least 1 hour before cutting into bars; store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• 11 bring to room temperature before serving; but they're just as yummy cold!