I’m already feeling the holiday spirit! We have many treats, recipes, fun DIY gift ideas and some great giveaways coming your way in the next few weeks. Buckle your seatbelt; I’m having far more ideas than there is time so I’ll be sharing a lot with you!
We started our holiday cookie making early. For some reason this year the Christmas spirit struck early. There have been spoken secret wishes to get our tree well before Thanksgiving (though come to think of it, many Christmas tree lots are usually open before Thanksgiving and I don’t think I’ve seen any yet this year). A certain little man in my household has been making red, green and white construction paper chains and elaborate hand-cut white paper snowflakes which hang from the ceiling of his room getting everyone in the mood.
I shared yesterday in writing about Mint M&M Forgotten Cookies I decided to whip up some delicious no bake options this year. I feel everyone finds themselves in a pinch needing to bring cookies to a work Pot Luck, for a school party or wishing for something delicious as a holiday gesture for someone they treasure. Hating to share the same recipes as everyone else I created a few that are a bit different.
Today I’m sharing delicious creamy bars: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cinnamon Squares. Simple to make, they have a bottom layer of chocolate cookie crumbs, topped with melted peanut butter, cinnamon baking chips and toffee/Heath Bar baking chips (or ground candy bars). All of this is topped by crushed peanuts. A large pan can be made in one shake of a reindeer’s tail and serves many….which you’ll need as everyone will want seconds!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cinnamon Squares {no bake}
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons Unsalted Butter , melted
- 1 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
- 1 ½ cup Confectioner’s/Powdered Sugar , sifted
- 2 cups Chocolate Wafer crumbs (I used Pamela’s Gluten-Free Chocolate Mini Wafers, ground in a chopper)
- 1 cup Cinnamon Baking Chips
- 1 cup Heath Bar Baking Bits (or crushed Heath Bar)
- ¼ cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1 cup Peanuts , finely chopped
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl combine the melted butter, peanut butter and powdered sugar. Stir or whisk to incorporate all the ingredients together
- Stir the cookie crumbs into the mixture. Once everything is mixed together, spoon the mixture into a 13x9x2 inch baking pan. Press the mixture into the bottom of the pan using a mixing spoon.
- In a heat proof metal bowl over a saucepan of boiling water, combine the cinnamon baking chips, Heath Bar baking bits and whipping cream. Stir continuously until the baking chips have melted. Remove from heat.
- Spoon the melted mixture on top of the cookie crumb mixture in the baking pan and spread evenly to cover. Sprinkle the chopped peanuts evenly over the top.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours or until fully set. Cut into 1 ½ inch squares and store sealed in the refrigerator.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
November 30, 2014 at 9:09 pmWe are crazy for anything peanut butter. These bars look divine, Toni.
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
November 30, 2014 at 9:00 pmYou can never go wrong with the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, totally craving these squares right now!
jacquie says
November 29, 2014 at 9:38 pmsorry for the duplicate but i accidently hit the wrong key…
I want to win these cookbooks.
Toni Dash says
November 29, 2014 at 10:06 pmHi Jacquie. I think you’ve left a comment on the wrong post (there was no duplicate either). If you would like to enter the cookbook giveaway you need to leave your comment on this post: https://boulderlocavore.com/2014/11/mint-mm-forgotten-cookies-and-baking-cookbooks-giveaway.html.
Thanks!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
November 29, 2014 at 12:41 pmthese bars look SO addictive!
Toni Dash says
November 29, 2014 at 10:03 pmThey are Kayle; I confess!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens says
November 29, 2014 at 10:53 amI am so ready for holiday cookie making! These look delicious. Have a great weekend!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
November 29, 2014 at 8:22 amI can’t believe these are no bake! They look fantastic!! Pinned!
Toni Dash says
November 29, 2014 at 12:49 pmThanks Anna! I love having some great no bake options up my sleeve at this time of year. It seems like the need for sweets pop up all month long.
Anne-Marie @ This Mama Cooks! On a Diet says
November 29, 2014 at 7:59 amMmmmm…. These look terrific for upcoming cookie exchanges though I think I’d have to make two batches because I’d hate to share.
Toni Dash says
November 29, 2014 at 12:48 pmI hear you! When you find a cookie you really like, it’s hard to part with them!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
November 29, 2014 at 8:28 amI love everything about these! Quick, no-bake, cinnamon chips, Heath Bar bits… Love it and can’t wait to make them this season!
Toni Dash says
November 29, 2014 at 12:49 pmAwe, thanks Patricia! Love them too!
Amanda Paa says
November 29, 2014 at 7:07 amI’m in the holiday spirit already too! I love the idea of adding cinnamon to these. And that they’re no-bake. Yum.
Toni Dash says
November 29, 2014 at 12:47 pmGlad to know someone else is with me on the early holiday festive feel Amanda! I too love the cinnamon baking chips in these bars. Gives them a bit of an unexpected twist!