Chubby Hubby Bars

**Update: I gave these to my neighbor as a thank you for his help in raking our leaves, and he approached me the other day to say that he would pay me to make them again! They have powers, I’m telling you!

I’ll post these, but I’m going to do you the service of recommending that you not make them. They might be evil. I’m not sure what Pandora’s box I’ve opened by making these in the first place… and I’m frightened.

Not really.

But kinda.

If you’ve never had Ben & Jerry’s Chubby Hubby Ice Cream, let me break it down for you: vanilla malt ice cream with chocolate-covered, peanut-butter-filled pretzels, plus fudge and caramel swirls. Delish!

I saw a recipe for Chubby Hubby Bars atCookies & Cups (via Pinterest, of course) and thought I’d put my own spin on it. I took a couple of shortcuts, but I’m really pleased with the results!

These are a delightful combination of crunchy, gooey, salty, and sweet — a perfect addition to your holiday cookie plate. The neighbors will LOVE them!

Chubby Hubby Bars

Ingredients:
1, 16.5 oz. log prepared sugar cookie dough (I used Pillsbury)
1 Tbsp. malted milk powder
8 oz. mini peanut butter cups (or several regular ones broken up)
1/2 c. roughly-chopped pretzels (I found PB-filled ones at Trader Joes!)
1, 14 oz. bag of caramels
1 Tbsp. water or milk
1, 11 oz. bag milk chocolate chips
1/4 c. cream (optional)

Directions:
Line an 8×8″ pan with parchment paper and preheat oven to 350º. Gently mix malted milk powder, peanut butter cups, and pretzels into the cookie dough and press into pan. Bake for 20 minutes, or until edges begin to brown slightly.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine (unwrapped) caramels with 1 Tbsp. water or milk and microwave in one-minute intervals until melted and smooth. Pour over cookie mixture.
Let this cool several hours or overnight. Once cooled, melt chocolate chips (and cream, if desired) in microwave, stirring every 30 seconds or so until shiny and smooth. Pour this over top of the caramel. Put in the fridge to cool, then cut into squares.