CHOCOLATE PEANUT-BUTTER PUDDING CAKE

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Pudding Cake
1 c all-purpose flour
1/2 c sugar
2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 c milk
2 Tablespoons cooking oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 c peanut butter flavored pieces
3/4 c sugar
1/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder
2 c boiling water
1/2 c chunky peanut butter
2 Tablespoon chopped unsalted dry-roasted peanuts
vanilla ice cream (optional)

In a mixing bowl, stir together flour; the 1/2 cup sugar; the 2 T cocoa
powder; and baking powder: Add the milk, oil, and vanilla; stir until
batter is smooth. Stir in peanut butter pieces. Spread batter evenly in
bottom of a greased 3 1/2-4 qt crockery cooker.
In another mixing bowl, combine the 3/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa
powder. Stir together boiling water and peanut butter; stir into cocoa
mixture. Pour evenly over batter in the crock pot. Cover, cook on high for
2-2 1/2 hours or until toothpick inserted 1 inch into center comes out
clean. Let stand uncovered, for 30-40 minutes to cool slightly.
To serve, spoon pudding cake into dessert dishes. Sprinkle with
peanuts. If desired, serve with ice cream. "This pudding cake is a dessert
lover's dream. A warm chocolate-peanut butter pudding develops under the
cake layer as it 'bakes'. Spooned over ice cream, it's the best."