Chocolate Peanut Squares

Over fifteen years ago my mom found this recipe in a magazine and decided to make it. Ever since my dad had taken that first bite its been one of his favorite desserts. Over the years my mom and I have made them for special occasions and shared the dessert with friends and family. Needless to say, after years of having ingredients spilled, accidently tearing it in half and then re-taping it, and it getting tossed around with hundred of other recipe cut-outs, we lost half of the ingredient list. So the original Kraft recipe is now just from memory and whether or not these are the exact measurements, you will still fall in love after just one bite.

• 2 sticks margarine


• 8 oz. Baker’s SemiSweet Chocolate Squares


• 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs


• ½ cup coconut


• ½ cup crushed peanuts


• 2 – 8 oz. packages of cream cheese


• 1 cup sugar


• 1 tsp. vanilla

Place 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) of margarine and 2 oz. of chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on medium-high about 2 minutes or until melted. Stir until smooth.

In a mixing bowl, combine crumbs, peanuts, and coconut. Add melted chocolate mixture and stir until well mixed. Press evenly into the bottom of a 13" x 9" pan (I line it with parchment paper -- makes clean-up a breeze). Chill for 30 minutes.

In a clean bowl, beat together sugar, cream cheese, and vanilla. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over crust layer. Chill another 30 minutes.

In a microwave-safe bowl, heat remaining chocolate and butter on medium-high about 2 1/2 minutes or until melted. Stir until smooth. Pour melted chocolate over cream cheese layer. Chill at least one hour or until chocolate has hardened. Cut into squares and serve. Keep refrigerated.