Tara's Peanut Butter Layer Bars

Tara made these from a box of peanut butter cookie dough.  You can use your own peanut butter cookie recipe or your favorite boxes variety.

Peanut Butter Layer Bars
1st layer
Peanut butter cookie recipe***

2nd layer
3/4 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
3 tsp milk

3rd layer
2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
2 Tablespoons butter

Mix up peanut butter cookie dough and press into bottom of a 13x9 casserole dish or 1/4 sheet pan (don't forget to spray with nonstick cooking spray).  Bake according to directions.  Cool completely.

For the next layer, beat peanut butter and butter until creamy.  Add powdered sugar and milk and beat until it's fluffy and soft looking.

Heat heavy whipping cream in microwave safe bowl for 2 minutes or until bubbly.  Add chocolate chips and stir until completely melted.  Add butter and stir until thoroughly combined.  Set aside.

Assemble:
Spread fluffy peanut butter mixture over the cooled cookie dough crust.   Next, pour the chocolate ganache evenly over top.  Make sure it's not too hot or it will melt the previous layer.  Smooth out with offset spatula and refrigerate until solid, about an hour.  Cut into bars and enjoy!

***You may also use leftover peanut butter cookies as the crust.  Crumble about 12 cookies into a bowl and add 2 tablespoons of melted butter.  Press this into the bottom of a 13x9 pan and resume the layering as above.  

YUM!