Peanut Butter Dream Bar

From: Chef Dana Linden, Montego Bay, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. This recipe won the Dessert category of the Southern Peanut Growers 2013 Chefs’ Recipe Contest. Yield: 15.

Peanut Candy Bar Base:
9 oz. milk chocolate morsels
10 oz. dry-roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped
2 Tbsp. peanut oil

Peanut Butter Chocolate Dream Mousse:
14 oz. milk chocolate chips
6 oz. cream cheese
6 oz. creamy peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
20 oz. heavy cream, whipped to firm peak
6 oz. milk chocolate morsels
***
for garnish, 3 oz. melted milk chocolate chips
as needed for garnish, whipped cream

Line a quarter sheet pan with plastic wrap. Combine the chocolate, peanuts and peanut oil in a double boiler and stir until completely melted and blended. Spread mixture to an even layer on lined sheet pan.

For Peanut Butter Chocolate Dream Mousse: Melt chocolate in double boiler. Cool to 85°F. Place cream cheese, peanut butter and vanilla in the bowl of a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Blend at medium speed for 2 minutes. Turn off the mixer and scrape down the bowl and paddle. Turn on mixer to high speed and whip for  to 4 minutes until approximately doubled in volume. Turn off mixer and scrape down bowl and paddle.

Blend in melted chocolate at medium-low speed for 1 minute or until completely incorporated. Remove bowl from the mixer and fold in whipped cream. Spread the peanut butter chocolate dream mousse in an even layer over the peanut candy bar base.

To serve: Cut peanut butter dream bar into desired portions and plate for service. Drizzle with melted chocolate and garnish with whipped cream and/or other appropriate garnish as preferred. Serve immediately.