No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Perfect snack alternative

My kids are heading back into the school season, so I figured I would throw together a snack to both satisfy their cravings and my own. Otherwise, our donut bill was going to be through the roof.

Everyone has a sweet tooth, some more than others, but it’s always there. The problem with these cravings is one doesn’t have many “healthy” options when the cravings kick in; typical options are usually processed junk or a spoonful of honey.

This recipe is so simple, and as I always say, improvise to match your own preferences. If you don’t like peanut butter, use almond butter or another nut butter. If you don’t like semi-sweet chocolate, use dark or even white chocolate.

Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups of crushed graham crackers
- 1 cup of powdered sugar
- 1 cup of creamy peanut butter
- ¾ cup of melted butter
- 1 ½ cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips

-1/2 cup chopped toasted hazelnuts (optional)

Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the crushed graham crackers, powdered sugar, melted butter, and peanut butter. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.

2. Press the mixture into the bottom of a greased baking dish, ensuring it is evenly spread and compacted.

3. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth and fully melted. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate using a double boiler.

4. Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter mixture in the baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

5. Place the dish in the refrigerator and allow it to chill for at least 2 hours, or until the chocolate layer is firm.

6. Once chilled, remove from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly. This will make it easier to cut into bars.

7. Using a sharp knife, cut the dessert into squares or bars of your desired size.

8. Serve and enjoy. They can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.