Life: Idiotropic

Our friends are coming over this evening for dinner - they are friends that we rarely see here sadly enough, but they sponsored us here and had us over for dinner in our first couple weeks in Germany and now, as they are leaving in a couple days, we're doing the same.

We've known them since our Oklahoma days, so while I wasn't sure what I felt like cooking for dinner, I knew exactly what to cook for dessert - the amazing, delicious, can't-eat-just-one, Peanut Lover's Nanaimo Bars.

I got this recipe from my Aunt Jackie years ago, made them for the first time while living in Oklahoma, then quickly learned not to make them because they are the kryptonite to my will power and I will eat the entire pan if not physically restrained. Freezing them doesn't help. They are SO good.

So, here it goes. Throwing a little temptation your way.

Peanut Lover's Nanaimo Bars
Base:

• Place in a bowl over boiling water: 3/4c. sugar, 1/2c. butter, 1/2c. chunky peanut butter.
• Melt and stir
• Beat 3 eggs together with 1 t. vanilla. Temper them with a little of the hot butter mixture.
• Add eggs to the hot mixture and stir until thickened. (5 minutes or so)
• In a large bowl, mix: 3c. graham cracker crumbs and 1.5c. coconut
• Mix the hot mixture into the crumb mixture until all the crumbs are moistened. Press into a 9x13" pan.
  
• Chill.

Filling:

• Beat together: 1/2c. butter softened, 1/4c. peanut butter, 5T. milk, and 3c. powdered sugar.
• Spread evenly over the chilled base layer, cover, and chill.

Topping:

• In a microwave on low heat of in a double broiler, melt together: 6oz. semisweet chocolate and 1/4c. peanut buttter. Stir until melted and smooth.
• Chill until the chocolate is firm, but not brittle. Slice and serve

Notes:

• In the original recipe, it calls for 3/4 cup peanuts in the base layer, but I use chunky peanut butter in all the layers and it works great.
• Do not serve these on a hot day. They'll make a melty mess all over the place. They are definitely better served chilled or not left out long.
  
• Though there are three steps, it goes fast and really is easy. Also easy to double for a party.
• They freeze WAY too well.