Name: Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars with Hot Fudge Sauce
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 3 hr
Yield: Makes 8 generous servings
Ingredients: Vegetable oil for greasing pan; 7 oz fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), chopped; 1 stick (1/2 cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3 large eggs, lightly beaten; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 1 cup salted dry-roasted peanuts (4 oz); 4 oz cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (not "natural"); 3/4 cup confectioners sugar; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup chilled heavy cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 1/3 cup heavy cream; 3 tablespoons light corn syrup; 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar; 2 tablespoons Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3 1/2 oz fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), chopped; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars with Hot Fudge SauceJohn Midgley

These frozen dessert bars are large enough to hold you through a double feature. Don't worry about them melting — they're just as delicious when they soften.

Cooks' notes:

Hot fudge sauce can be made 1 week ahead and cooled completely, then chilled in an airtight container or jar. Reheat before using. Leftover bars can be frozen, individually wrapped in plastic wrap, up to 4 days.

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