{Someone's in the Kitchen with Dina}

I played BUNCO this weekend and needed to bring a dessert to share. I am a closet recipe collector (I have been looking for a support group). I love to look up recipes of things I would like to try, specifically desserts, and then I never make them. Most of the time the recipes just end up in the book and eventually I try one or two. Since I had to take something, I decided to get brave (not that they were hard--just NEW) and try some of these recipes I have been collecting. I made Peanut Butter Candy Bars and Brownie Goody Bars. Both turned out pretty good and were easy to make. The PB Bars were my favorite and were super easy. They will probably become a regular. Wish I could pass around samples!

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Peanut Butter Candy Bars

1 pouch (1lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker peanut butter cookie mix

3 tbs vegetable oil

1 tbs water

1 egg

1 c. chocolate chips

1 c. butterscotch chips

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.

2. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, oil, water and egg until soft dough forms. Press into pan. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 10 minutes.

3. In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and butterscotch chips on High 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until melted. Spread evenly over base. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until set.

(NOTE: I didn't care for the butterscotch but everyone else did. I think I would do just chocolate next time)

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Brownie Goody Bars

1 box (1lb 6.5 oz) brownie mix

Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box

1 container (1lb) vanilla frosting

¾ c, salted peanuts, coarsely chopped

3 c. crisp rice cereal

1 c. creamy peanut butter

1 bag (12 oz) milk chocolate chips (2 cups)

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray or shortening. (For easier cutting, line pan with foil, then grease foil on bottom only of pan.)

2. Make and bake brownies as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan, using water, oil and eggs. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

3. Frost brownies with frosting. Sprinkle with peanuts; refrigerate while making cereal mixture.

4. Measure cereal into large bowl; set aside. In 1-quart saucepan, melt peanut butter and chocolate chips over low heat, stirring constantly. Pour over cereal in bowl, stirring until evenly coated. Spread over frosted brownies. Cool completely before cutting, about 1 hour (I found it works best if you just stick them in the fridge for about 1 hour or more). Store tightly covered at room temperature.