No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

I got this fabulous recipe from Our Best Bites...Seriously one of my most favorite sites!! They have amazing stories and make cooking a blast! This one is super simple, yummy, and a crowd pleaser. However, I didn't want to make the full 9x13 pan, my family just wouldn't eat it all. So I cut the recipe in half and made it in an 8x8 pan. I also did the readers tip at the end, and put peanut butter instead of shortening in the frosting portion. It turned out wonderful!! Enjoy!

No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
1 1/2 C graham cracker crumbs
1 lb (3 1/2 C) powdered sugar
1 1/2 C creamy peanut butter
1 C (2 sticks) real butter, melted
1 12oz bag chocolate chips
2 tsp shortening (or a scoop of Peanut Butter)
In a large mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar and peanut butter and butter and beat until combined.

Press into a parchment (or waxed paper or foil) lined 9×13 pan.

Place chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave safe bowl and heat in 30 second intervals, stirring after each one, until melted and smooth.

Pour chocolate over peanut butter mixture and spread out evenly.

Place pan in the fridge just until chocolate is set and then cut into bars. Tip: If the bars chill until the chocolate is too hard to easily cut, use a sharp knife and score the cuts first, then gently cut through. Can be stored in the fridge or at room temp. They will stay firmer if stored in the fridge.

*Tip: Love this tip from one you readers! Instead of adding shortening to the chocolate topping, add a scoop of peanut butter. That will prevent the top from getting solid and it will taste yummy!