Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

I just got back from a visit to Utah....it was wonderful.  I miss the mountains dearly.  I am grateful that in a few short months we are moving back West, the gray skies in the Midwest are about enough to drive any sane person cuckoo!  

While I was there, my mom made these bars for a neighbor and I got to try some.  They are great, and the fact they are made with a yellow cake mix makes them easy!  Enjoy :)

Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

1 (18.25) package plain yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup creamy peanut butter
2 eggs

1 (12 oz) package semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

2 Tablespoons butter

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 cup coconut (optional)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Combine cake mix, melted butter, peanut butter, and eggs in a large bowl using a mixer or spoon. Press this into a 9X13 pan reserving 1 1/2 cup of the mixture to crumble on top.

In a small pot, melt chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and coconut.

Spread chocolate mixture over the mixture pressed in the pan and then crumble the 1 1/2 cups of reserved cake mixture on top evenly.

Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Recipe Source:  The Girl Who Ate Everything