(PB)²

In my more fledgling vegan days, the one thing I lamented almost as much as chocolate digestives were Reeses Peanut-Butter Cups. I've yet to come up with a chocolate digestive (although the plain low-fat McVities brand are vegan they're not GF!), but I HAVE got a peanut-butter cup replacement!! There's no way anyone could tell these were vegan, they're so sweet & trashy, perfect for disproving the stereotype of vegan food as healthy food ;D Even better, if you don't count a little microwave action, this is an absolutely no-cooking recipe! This is possibly one of the sweets I've had the most requests for, & since it's a bar it's really neat to slice up & put in tupperware to give to people or take on roadtrips! Perfect.

I will make a note about the peanut butter; we've tried these with Sunpat & Tesco brand P.B & they're just not peanut-buttery enough! The best we've had has been with Whole Earth brand, a good creamy no-stir organic P.B that makes baked goods heaven if you're a P.B fanatic like me!

Peanut Butter Squares
adapted from How To Be A Domestic Goddess

Makes as many squares as you want to cut, but keep in mind they're quite rich!

bottom:
50g dairy-free margerine
60g dark muscovado sugar
215g icing sugar
425g creamy peanut butter, smooth or crunchy!

topping:
300g plain chocolate (we used dark chocolate chips)
1 tablespoon dairy-free margerine
85ml nondairy milk
50g icing sugar
50g light brown sugar

equipment:
Mixing bowl
1 x 23cm square brownie tin, greased

Directions

1. Cream together the sugars & butter for the base untill the butter is light & fluffy. Add the peanut butter & mix to incorporate.

2. Pour the crumbly peanut butter mix into the brownie pan & push it down firmly with your fingers, try to get as even a surface as possible!

3. For the topping, melt the chocolate & margarine together (this works fine in a microwave on a medium heat for one or two minutes). Add the sugar to the melted chocolate mix & stir to incorporate. Add the nondairy milk to the chocolate mix a little at a time, stirring as you go, untill you get a nice thick, drippy consistency.

4. Pour the topping onto the peanut butter base & put it in the fridge to set. Once it's hardened, cut into little squares with a sharp heavy knife, & share them out to bring joy & calories to all.