SWEET BITES: PEANUT BUTTER OAT COCOA BARS

You are going to want to pin this Peanut Butter Oat & Cocoa Bars recipe, for the next time you want to make homework sessions a little more fun, or need to feed a gang of kids, or want to celebrate something big or small, or need to bring something to the next meeting, etc., etc. Although I have to warn you, do not be fooled by the “OAT” in the name. These are anything but healthy. In fact they’re quite rich, but that just means you can cut them into smaller squares so one tray goes a long way!

FOR THE BARS YOU’LL NEED:

2 1/3 cups rolled oats (the old fashioned kind)
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup butter (softened)
2/3 cup white sugar
1 1/3 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt

HERE’S HOW TO MAKE THE BARS:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a rimmed half cookie sheet or smaller brownie pan with parchment paper or nonstick spray.
In a large bowl, combine the old fashioned oats, flour, baking powder, and salt. In another large mixing bowl, mix together your peanut butter and butter. Add the sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla and whisk or beat together till smooth and creamy.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir to combine.
Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared sheet or pan. The dough will be sticky, so spray your hands or a rubber spatula with nonstick spray to help!
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Middle of bars should be just barely set/still gooey. Remove bars and let cool for approx 5 minutes.

FOR THE TOPPING + GLAZE YOU’LL NEED:

1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup butter
6 TBS milk (whole or 2%)
4 TBS cocoa powder
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

HERE’S HOW TO TOP THE BARS:

After 5 minutes, drop peanut butter dollops over the top of the bars. Leave the dollops to warm for a couple minutes and then spread evenly over the top.
In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, add butter, cocoa powder and milk. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar till smooth.
Spread chocolate frosting over the top of the bars evenly.
Allow frosting to set and bars to cool completely before cutting into squares to enjoy… we speed up this process by throwing them in the freezer for 10-ish minutes. Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-6 days or in the fridge for longer. TIP: A little parchment paper in between squares (if stacking) helps!

Yummy, right!? Not to be bossy, but you should make some this weekend!! In between soccer, football, the pumpkin patch, birthday parties, decorating, taking care of the yard, and family movie night 😜. How is it that fall weekends end up being busier than the weekdays!? Anyways, if you do let me know @raeannkelly or in the comments!