PEANUT BUTTER CUP BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line 8" square pan with foil, leaving extra foil overlapping over edges. Spray with nonstick cooking spray.
• Place 3/4 C butter & chocolate in medium heatproof bowl; place over medium saucepan of barely simmering water. Stir frequently until mixture is melted & smooth. Remove bowl from saucepan; let stand until cooled slightly.
• In large bowl, beat eggs, sugar & salt at medium speed until blended. At low speed, beat in chocolate mixture & 1 tsp vanilla until blended. Beat in flour just until incorporated. Gently stir in peanut butter cups. Spread batter in pan.
• Bake 40 - 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs attached (be careful not to hit peanut butter cups). Top may crack during baking. Cool completely on wire rack. (Bars may sink slightly during cooling.)
• Meanwhile, in another large bowl, beat cream cheese & 1/4 C butter at medium speed until blended & smooth. Beat in 1 tsp vanilla. At low speed, beat in 2 1/2 C of the powdered sugar until blended & smooth, adding additional powdered sugar, if necessary, to achieve desired spreading consistency. Stir in peanut butter. Spread frosting over bars; sprinkle with peanuts.
• Using foil edges, lift bars from pan. Slide bars off foil onto cutting board; cut into 16 pieces. (Bars can be made up to 2 days ahead. Cover & refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)