M&M's Peanut Butter Magic Bars with Chocolate Ganache

I've mentioned before that D-Man has a deep affinity for peanut butter. Another of his favorite treats are M&M's. He loves those plain M&M's in the brown bag. It never fails, when we're in line getting groceries or checking out at our local Walmart store, he always has to have the M&M's. So I had the bright idea to create an easy but delicious dessert
that incorporates the two, and even included a layer of chocolate ganache (which is so simple to make!). What goes better than peanut butter and chocolate, right? I also combined graham cracker crumbs with crushed pretzels for a crust and a layer of coconut underneath some sweetened condensed milk. One thing is for sure, this isn't diet food! This is for that moment you want to indulge, and you want that rich, sweet and slightly salty flavor. Yes, this is the perfect dessert for those moments. Perfect for an office party, potluck, or even a kids party!

The usual location where we pick up our M&M's, right in the checkout aisle of Walmart!

I love that you can switch out the M&M's for various seasonal ones and use this recipe for the dessert for any special occasion or holiday. If you're a Pinterest user, there's even a fun contest right now with the Baking is Better with M Sweepstakes. You can win one of 3 $250 Walmart Gift Cards, see the end of this post for additional details.

Crust Layer Ingredients:

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1-1/2 cups crushed pretzels
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• one 12 ounce can sweetened condensed milk

Peanut Butter Layer Ingredients:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 4 tablespoons butter, softened to room temperature
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon heavy whipping cream

Chocolate Ganache Layer Ingredients:

• 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

M&M layer:

• one 1.69 ounce bag plain M&M's
• one 1.74 ounce bag peanut M&M's

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine graham cracker crumbs with crushed pretzels in a medium bowl. 

Add sugar and melted butter, mix to combine. 

Press crust into an 8x8 baking dish, lined with parchment paper.

Top with shredded coconut, then pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the top.

Bake in preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes.

While crust is baking, combine peanut butter and butter, mixing on medium low until combined.

Add powdered sugar and whipping cream, mixing until smooth.

Once crust is removed from the oven and cooled for a few minutes, spread peanut butter mixture evenly over the top. Refrigerate to set.

While letting the peanut butter set on top of the crust, begin to make the ganache. It's so easy!

Just add the chocolate pieces to a microwave safe bowl, and add whipping cream. Heat in microwave for one minute, at 12 second intervals to stir it just a bit each time. 

Once it's cooked whisk well until smooth. 

Pour ganache over the peanut butter mixture and spread evenly. 

Top with M&M's, using both flavors and spreading evenly.

Place in refrigerator to set for at least an hour.

Once firm and cooled, remove from refrigerator. Using the parchment paper, lift out of baking dish to slice.

Cut into 9 pieces.

Serve with a cold glass of milk, these are rich!

Enjoy!

Baking is Better with M Pinterest Sweepstakes

Pin for a chance to win one of three $250 Walmart gift cards! It's as easy as submitting your email and pinning an image.  Simply complete the following steps:

1. Enter your email in the form below and click “Enter”
2. Pin the contest image to any of your own Pinterest boards
3. Visit the Baking with M Pinterest board and Re-Pin your favorites to enter http://www.pinterest.com/cbsocially/baking-with-mms/

Three (3) Winners will be selected at random - One (1) entry per person.
Contest runs 12/06/13 - 12/31/13