Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Nutter Butter Bars

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
1 large egg
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
10 Nabisco Nutter Butter Cookies, coarsely chopped into about 6 pieces each, divided (another type of peanut butter- or vanilla-sandwich cookie may substituted such as Golden Oreos or similar; if using other cookies, use about 1 1/4 cups coarsely chopped cookies)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
2. In a large, microwave-safe bowl melt the butter, about 1 minute on high power.
3. Wait momentarily before adding the egg so you don't scramble it. Add the egg, brown sugar, vanilla, and whisk until smooth.
4. Add the peanut butter and stir until smooth.
5. Add the flour and stir until just combined, don't overmix.
6. Stir in most of the chopped Nutter Butters, reserving about 1/4 cup to be sprinkled on top.
7. Stir in most of the chocolate chips, reserving about 2 tablespoons to be sprinkled on top.
8. Turn batter out into prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula.
9. Evenly sprinkle the reserved Nutter Butters and reserved chocolate chips over the top, lightly pressing them down with your finger or a spatula.
10. Bake for about 28 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center (if you can find a bare patch to test) comes out mostly clean, or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter. Allow bars to cool in pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. Bars will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.