No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

Five-ingredient peanut butter bars with a rich chocolate topping.

Ingredients
8 Tabs unsalted butter with 1/4 tsp coarse salt
1 cup plus 2 T smooth peanut butter, divided
graham crackers* (about 113 grams – 1/2 cup) * or digestive/arrowroot/ biscuits or ginger snaps.
2 cups icing sugar
1 cup semi-sweet choc chips
Flaky salt, such as Maldon (optional)

1.  Line the bottom and 2 opposite sides of an 8×8″ or 9×9″ baking pan with a sheet of parchment paper long enough so that it hangs off the sides to form a sling.

2. MW butter in a large microwave-safe bowl on HIGH until melted, 40-60 seconds. Add 1 cup of PB and stir to combine. Add icing sugar and stir until combined.

3.  Place graham crackers in a 4.5L (v. large) zip-top bag. Use a rolling pin to crush into fine crumbs (about 1.25c). Add crumbs to PB mixture & stir to combine. Transfer to baking pan, press evenly. |

4.  Wipe out the bowl. Place choc chips & remaining 2T PB  in bow: MW on HIGH, stirring halfway through, until choc chips are softened enough to melt completely in the residual heat: about 40  seconds total. Spread evenly over the bars. Sprinkle with flaky salt if desired.

5.  Refrigerate until firm: about 2 hours. Grasping the excess parchment paper, lift peanut butter bar out of the pan onto a cutting board. Cut into 16 bars. Thaw overnight in fridge before serving.

NOTES:
Storage: Transfer to an airtight container, keeping each layer separated by parchment paper. Refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.

 

ALMOND BUTTER SAUCE for soba noodles

Ingredients
½ cup almond butter
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium tamari or soy sauce
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
2 cloves garlic pressed
2-6 tablespoons water
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional

Mix all of the almond butter sauce ingredients (except for the water) together until smooth.
Add in two tablespoons of water and mix well. Add in more water if you desire a runnier consistency. The sauce will thicken the longer it sits.

To serve, place some noodles, sautéed protein and vegetables into a bowl and top with the almond butter sauce, green onion, sesame seeds and red pepper flakes for kick.
Enjoy immediately!