Chocolate Chip and Pretzel Cookie Bars

I was in the mood to bake yesterday. I love the measuring, mixing, sounds and smells of sweetness coming from the kitchen. I don't however love the added calories that I am adding so normally when I bake something, we sample a piece and send the rest off the office with Michael! That way I get the best of both worlds. These bars came across my google reader and they look absolutely heavenly.. and they are!! They are very simple to make and have a wonderful pretzel chocolate flavor to them. Add the peanut butter drizzle to the top and there is an explosion of flavor. I really hope you will give these a try. You will not be disappointed.

Chocolate Chip and Pretzel Cookie Bars

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Source: Brown Eyed Baker (adapted from Two Peas and Their Pod)

Makes 32 squares

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1½ sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup light brown sugar

½ cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

12-ounce bag bittersweet (or semisweet, if you prefer) chocolate chips

1½ cups mini pretzel twists, coarsely chopped

¼ cup chocolate chips, for drizzling (optional)

¼ cup peanut butter, for drizzling (optional)

¼ cup pretzels, crumbled, for topping (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray.

2. In a bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda and salt. Using a mixer, beat the butter and both sugars at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Beat in the eggs and the vanilla extract. On low speed, beat in the dry ingredients just until incorporated. Stir in the chocolate chips and pretzel pieces.

3. Spread the batter evenly in the pan and press it down evenly with a spatula. Bake for 30 minutes, until golden brown. Transfer the pan to a rack and cool completely.

4. In separate sandwich size baggies, melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter. Cut off a small corner on each bag and drizzle the chocolate and peanut butter over the top of the bars. Sprinkle the extra crushed pretzels on top. Let set and then cut into squares.