Mom's Peanut Butter Bars

Growing up, my Mom often made us great treats for dessert.  Whether it was her chocolate chip cookies (secret family recipe!) or her cinnamon buns, we were lucky to have a Mom who liked to bake.  Another of our favourites were her Peanut Butter Bars (think Reese Peanut Butter Cups, but homemade) - she's been making these for us since we were kids.  It's easy to make, no baking required.  I used natural peanut butter and it turned out the same as using regular peanut butter.

Peanut Butter Bars (Source: My Mom's Recipe Binder)

2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup butter, melted
1 - 1 1/4 cups peanut butter
1 3/4 cups icing sugar
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

In a large bowl, mix together the graham crumbs, melted butter, peanut butter and icing sugar.  Press firmly into a wax paper lined 8x8 or 9x13 pan (depending on how thick you like your layers - bigger pan = thinner layers).  Put into the fridge to start to set, about 10 minutes.  Remove from fridge, melt chocolate chips, pour over the peanut butter layer.  Return to the refrigerator, allow the chocolate to start to set, approximately 10-15 minutes.  Remove from the fridge again, cut into squares (must do this now, or once the chocolate is completely set it will crack when you try to cut the bars later).  Keep refrigerated.  These also freeze well.

VERDICT:
These are a long-time favourite treat of mine!  Super easy to make.  As mentioned, I made these using natural peanut butter this time, and they turned out the same as using regular peanut butter - yay!