Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Bars

I have decided to enter one of my favorite recipes into the KC Star cookie contest.  I don't expect to win, but I thought it was a fun idea.  The best thing about these bars is that they taste better the longer they are stored airtight on your counter!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Bars

Ingredients

Bars:

1 1/2 cups flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

1 cup granulated sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup creamy peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

¼ cup butter, softened

2 tablespoons milk

½ cup milk chocolate chips

10 mini peanut butter cups, cut in half

Topping:

1 ½ cups sifted confectioners' sugar

¼ cup milk

¼ cup creamy peanut butter

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

10 mini peanut butter cups, cut in half

1. Preheat oven 350 degrees.

2. Combine flour, baking powder, sugar and salt, stirring well with a whisk.

3. Combine vanilla, eggs, butter and milk, stirring well. Add peanut butter.

4. Stir in chocolate chips then fold in peanut butter cups.

5. Pour batter into an 8 inch metal baking pan that is lightly sprayed with cooking spray.

6. Arrange peanut butter cups on top.

7. Bake for 20-23 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs clinging.

Once bars are baked, begin preparing the glaze.

8. Place confectioners' sugar, milk, 1/4 cup peanut butter, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in medium bowl; whisk together until creamy.

9. Drizzle glaze over cooled bars.