Tasty Tuesday : Buckeye Bars

If you're from the states you're probably familiar with those yummy little chocolate covered peanut butter balls that show up around the holidays - story has it that they originated in Ohio, the Buckeye state, hence the name. They're delicious but fairly time consuming to make and knowing Miss H's LOVE of play-doh and squishing it into a zillion teeny tiny pieces I haven't had the time or courage to make them lately. But then I came across this recipe in a cookbook around Christmas and the light bulb went off - these I could actually pull off! Sadly, as soon as my husband goes out of town my (already weak) will to cook dinner disappears almost entirely and I end up making and eating something like this for dinner. The worst part? I'm not even sorry!




Buckeye Bars

(from Better Homes and Gardens Very Merry Cookies)



one 19.5 ounce brownie mix
2 eggs
1/3 C. oil (I used Canola)
1 C. chopped peanuts (I used salted dry roasted)

1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 C peanut butter


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x13 pan with foil and lightly grease the foil (or spray with cooking oil like PAM or Baker's Joy).

Combine brownie mix, eggs and oil in a large bowl - mix well with electric mixer. Stir in peanuts. Spread 1/2 of the brownie mixture in your prepared pan. (I think I ended up using more like 2/3 of the mixture in the bottom of the pan because it was tricky to spread - still turned out fine).

In a separate bowl whisk together peanut butter and sweetened condensed milk. Pour over brownie mixture in pan.

Take spoonful (or pinches) of the remaining dough and flatten, then place on top of peanut butter mixture in pan.

Bake for 25 - 30 minutes (top should be set and edges lightly brown). Cool in pan completely. Use foil to lift out and cut into bars. Store between layers of waxed paper in airtight container.

These are very rich, so small sized bars are probably your friend. They may also make a delicious breakfast a la Bill Cosby - chocolate cake? Cake has eggs, milk, flour..sure, have cake! And then I hear the song in my head, "Dad is great, give us the chocolate cake..." but I digress. Teehee. Hope your Tuesday treats you well!