Update: This is an old review. The Peanut Butter Candy Bar Blondies are still good. Unfortunately, it seems the Hershey's Baking Melts have been discontinued. But no worries! Just use any other type of chocolate. I've used Guittard wafers, M&Ms, extra peanuts and whatever chip mixture is on sale. And M&Ms can replace the Reese's Pieces.
One of the nice things about fall is that the baking aisle expands somewhat and stores in my area start carrying new products. Case in point, the new Hershey's Baking Melts which I found last week while searching for some milk chocolate to put in mousse-topped cupcakes. The cost of a 10 oz bag of Baking Melts was about the same as two giant Hershey's bars, so I went ahead and bought a bag. As expected, they melted quite easily. They also worked well in the mousse, but where they really stood out was in these peanut butter bar cookies.
Baking melts are designed to melt into little layers. As you can see by the cross-section, they lived up to their promise. The peanut butter base was a perfect match for the milk chocolate. Now I'm going to have to find the semisweet flavor and try a few more recipes. Update: Since the Baking Melts are no more, use milk chocolate or semisweet chunks instead!
Here's a photo of the bag to help you identify them next time you're in the baking aisle (maybe they'll bring them back).
Recipe
Peanut Butter Candy Bar Blondies
Ingredients
- 1 stick unsalted butter (114 grams)
- 1 ½ cups packed light brown sugar (300 grams)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon mild molasses
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- ½ cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter (140 grams)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt plus an extra pinch
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (195 grams)
- 1 cup Reese’s Minis
- 1 cup Hershey’s milk chocolate melting chips
- ½ cup Reese’s Pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F Line a 9x13 inch metal pan with nonstick foil. For a half batch, use an 8-inch square metal pan.
- In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Pour the hot butter into a large mixing bowl and add the brown sugar. Stir well and let cool slightly to that the brown sugar melts a little bit.
- Whisk in the vanilla, molasses, room temperature eggs, and peanut butter.
- Add the baking powder and salt and whisk until blended, then gently whisk in the flour.Stir in melting chips, Reese’s Minis and Reese's Pieces (if using).
- Spread in the pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean
Notes
-- If eggs are room temperature, you won't have to beat (whisk) them quite as hard to mix them with the other ingredients and will probably end up whisking less air into the batter. In my experience, whisking or stirring ingredients rather than beating them usually makes a denser, less cakey, bar. these are not cakey at all.
Jennifer J-W says
I found them! They actually had the Hershey's melts in milk and semi-sweet chocolate at my local super walmart. I'm in Central IL, and they sell for $1.98 per bag. I bought two bags of the semi-sweet and used them in the NYT ccc recipe, so good!
Carole Resnick says
YUM!! Will make this weekend,
Rebecca says
Droolworthy! I haven't seen those melt yet around here.
Anna says
My guess is that the product locator hasn't caught up with the actual distribution. Just check the baking aisle and maybe you'll be lucky 🙂
Jennifer says
I found the page for them at Hershey's website that includes recipes. However, when I go to their "product locator," they aren't listed. Darn.
C L says
I will have to keep an eye open for them at WalMart or Target next time I get to the "big city". 😉 Not much chance my local supermarket will get these any time soon. On the good side, I am delighted to see Hersheys has finally developed these disks. Those blondies look delicious! They are absolutely on my "must-make-and-soon" list. 🙂 Not to mention I might finally have the chance to make the JT chocolate chip cookie recipe that was so popular.
Katrina says
much not must
Katrina says
I'm positive the JT feves taste must better, but love that Hershey's has a version of a flatter disk and more affordable and someday easier to find than the feves. Haven't seen them around these parts yet.
Martha in KS says
I buy Wilton's Melts which come in different colors, plus chocolate. I wonder if they're similar.
Anna says
Joan, yes! Family Circle has already held the contest. I've made both recipes multiple times, but haven't done a big post on it. Will probably post something closer to election day.
Sue says
Those definitely look worth trying!!
joan trueblood says
They DO look yummy! I haven't seen them here, either (East Coast: Hurricane Central tonight.) But I am wondering if the chocolate "feves" that Jacque Torres uses in his Famous NY Times CCC recipe would do the trick. They are usually available @ Whole Foods. Pricey, but a very good chocolate, and they do kind of melt into the cookie. Hey, Anna, have you spied the cookie contest between the Presidential candidates' wives this year? I haven't seen anything yet. Maybe I'll Google it.
Cookie Sleuth says
I will have to look out for these!
Chewthefat says
I can't wait to get back to baking once this stupid hurricane has passed! This photo only makes me more eager!
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray says
These look amazing! I'll have to keep an eye out for the Baking Melts in my grocery store. 🙂
Jennifer says
Those look delicious. I haven't seen them in the stores here yet (midwest) but I've only been to Target and Walmart in the past week.