Stovetop Crispy Corn Flake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar
• Pinch salt
• 4 cups corn flakes, lightly crushed
• 1/3 cup salted peanuts, chopped and divided (from the 1/3 cup measure, pour into a 1/4 cup measure and leave the remaining nuts in the 1/3 cup)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (or chocolate chips)
• Makes 16 bars

Directions

1. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan (or a 9x9-inch but the squares will not be as tall) with foil so that some foil hangs over the edge on two opposite sides (for pulling up the bars later).
2. In a medium or large saucepan over low-medium heat, melt butter. Add peanut butter, corn syrup, brown sugar, and salt and stir until all melted and smooth. Remove from the heat.
3. Stir in corn flakes, 1/4 cup peanuts, and vanilla until just combined. Pour into prepared pan and smooth top with the back of a spoon.
4. In the top of a double boiler over simmering water (or simply using the microwave), heat chocolate until just melted (if using microwave, be very careful not to burn the chocolate and heat just long enough to warm the chocolate pieces so you can stir them to melt them). Spread chocolate over top of corn flake mixture using offset spatula. Sprinkle with remaining chopped peanuts. Cover and chill until firm, about 2 hours. Remove from pan using the foil overhangs and cut into 2-inch squares. Or if you're like me, cut them into bite size pieces. A little goes a long way!