pb dream brownie bars

Book club was at my place tonight and I wanted to make something new so I tried these peanut butter brownie bars. I made some pretty big changes (to cut out some of the fat!!) - and mine didn't look so fancy- but they were still delicious.

• 1 box (18.2 ounces) brownie mix (I did a super easy and tasty brownies from scratch recipe!)
  
• 1/2 cup chopped dry-roasted peanuts(I didn't do the nuts)
  
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened (reduced fat)
  
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1-1/2 cups heavy cream(used lite cool whip instead)
  
• 1 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• Whipped cream, chopped peanuts, chocolate-peanut butter candies and caramel sauce, to garnish

I actually skipped the chocolate top layer all together and just used caramel topping and hot fudge sauce if they wanted to add it. It made it much faster!

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions for cakelike brownies (adding 1/4 cup water, 1/3 cup oil and 3 eggs). Fold in chopped nuts. Pour batter into pan. Return to 350°F oven; bake until brownie is just set and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

3. With electric mixer in medium bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add peanut butter and confectioners' sugar; beat until just blended (it will look lumpy). Add milk; beat lightly to loosen mixture. In separate bowl, whip 1 cup of the cream and gently fold into peanut butter mixture. Spread mousse evenly over cooled brownie. Refrigerate 1 hour.

4. Heat remaining 1/2 cup cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until just boiling. Remove from heat; add corn syrup and chocolate chips. Cover and let stand 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. Pour glaze over chilled mousse and spread to cover completely. Return to refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

homemade brownies-

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1. In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.
2. Bake in 350 oven for 25 to 30 minutes