Peanut Butter Chocolate Christmas Bark

I love Christmas. I love just being with my family and enjoying their presence...all while stuffing our faces with tons of cookies. Now, I know that's not what the holiday is really about, but it is an aspect of it that I enjoy.

Every year, people drop by with holiday treats and it seems that every year we get some sort of bark, typically of the peppermint variety. Now, when I came across this Peanut Butter Chocolate Christmas Bark I knew I needed it (is it apparent I have a hard time distinguishing wants and needs...?)

Lordy, is this bark decadent. You've got your saltine layer on the bottom (see these crackers are good even when you aren't sick!), and then you top those with a layer of toffee. On top of the toffee goes your peanut butter and chocolate. Then, because none of that is enough, you top with crushed Christmas M&M's. This stuff is dangerous...in the best way possible.

While these treat is over the top and absolutely incredible, it actually doesn't require much effort to make. The hardest part will be making your toffee. Just remember, when you are waiting for the butter and brown sugar to boil, don't stir it! While you will want to, RESIST. Once it turns a dark amber color, take it off the heat so it doesn't burn, then coat your saltines. Yumz.

While you should restrain from stirring that toffee, don't restrain from making this bark. Trust me when I say your lack of willpower will be rewarded generously. This bark does not disappoint, and it's a crowd pleaser! Enjoy!

Line up your saltines...

Don't you dare stir this toffee :)

Dollops of peanut butter - yummy.

Chocolate. Everywhere.

Getinmybelly.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Christmas Bark

Recipe from Grin and Bake It

• 1 sleeve salted saltines
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 2 1/2 cups semi-sweet (or milk) chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup peanut butter 
• 1/2 bag of chopped M&M's

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper (the pan needs to have a lip to prevent the bark from leaking all over your oven!)
2. Place the saltines in the jelly roll pan, salted side up. Leave just a bit of space between the crackers so the toffee will cover the entire cracker when done.
3. Bring sugar and butter to a boil in a saucepan. Boil for 3 minutes (time the boiling after the whole thing starts boiling, not just the edges). And, resist the urge to stir it (resist, I tell you!). Pour the boiling mixture over the crackers and place in the oven for 5 minutes.
4. Once out of the oven, put dollops of peanut butter on top of the toffee and crackers and return to the oven for 1 minute.
5. Once out of the oven, spread the melted peanut butter mixture over the toffee and crackers with a spatula. Then, top the crackers, toffee and peanut butter with your chocolate chips and put back in the oven for 1 minute.
6. Once out of the oven, use a spatula to spread the chocolate chips (which have melted) over the rest of your candy. Top with your crushed M&M pieces. 
7. Once done, place in the freezer for at least 1 hour to allow the bark to set. When they have set, crack them into individual pieces.