Peanut Butter Brownie Cake Squares

Recipe by The View From the Great Island

Peanut Butter Brownie Cake Squares ~ this little dessert is a cross between a brownie and a blondie, with a good dose of peanut butter frosting thrown in for good measure!  

Ingredients

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• 1 cup shortening
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 lb brown sugar (about 3 1/3 packed cups)
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 10 oz bag of Nestle Dark Chocolate Chips (about 1 1/2 cups)
• frosting
• 1 pound confectioner’s sugar ((1/2 of a 2 pound bag) )
• ½ cup peanut butter
• ½ cup shortening
• 1 tsp vanilla
• about 1/3 - 1/2 cup hot water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp salt

Method

1. Set oven to 350F
2. In a small bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl beat the shortening, peanut butter and sugar together for a couple of minutes. Beat in the eggs and vanilla for another couple of minutes.
4. Heat the chocolate in the microwave just until melted. Heat for 30 seconds, then stir and heat at 15 second intervals stirring to melt fully. Don;t over heat. Cool slightly.
5. Add the cooled chocolate to the bowl and beat until blended.
6. Fold in the dry mixture, just until combined. Spread into a 9x12 inch pan and bake for about 20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean (but it will be damp) Don't over bake, as this is a brownie like cake.
7. To make the frosting: Beat the sugar, peanut butter, shortening, salt and vanilla together, adding enough hot water to form a smooth, spreadable frosting. You can adjust by adding more sugar or more water as needed. Don't have it too thick or it won't spread nicely.
8. Spread on the still warm cake, and let cool before slicing, if you can possibly wait.

View the recipe instructions at The View From the Great Island