Chocolate Pretzel Peanut Butter Blondies

This is one of my new favorites. Sweet, salty, crunchy, gooey, and chocolatey all in one dang cookie bar! It's what dreams are made of! This is what you'll need to make a 9 x 13 pan of Peanut Butter Blondies:

Photo byTieghan Gerard

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter melted
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup peanut butter creamy
• 2 eggs room temperature
• 2 eggs yolk room temperature
• 4 tbsp vanilla
• 2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips plus more for sprinkling
• 1 cup chopped pretzels plus more for sprinkling
• 6-8 Tbl peanut butter to top with, optional

Preheat your oven to 350°F and generously grease an 9 x 13 inch square baking pan. For easy removal of the blondies, line the bottom and two sides of the pan with parchment paper, then grease the parchment and set the pan aside.

Melt the butter and let it cool slightly in a large bowl. Once cooled, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until well combined. Add the peanut butter and mix until smooth.

Next, incorporate the eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla extract, whisking until the mixture is fully blended.

Gradually fold in the flour and baking powder, mixing just until almost combined. Then, add in the pretzels and chocolate chips, continuing to stir until a soft dough forms.

Evenly press about 2/3 of the dough into the prepared pan, and press additional pretzels, chocolate chips, and a few tablespoons of peanut butter on top for extra crunch and flavor. Then add remaining dough over the top and bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. Let the blondies cool in the pan, then slice and enjoy!