School Lunch PB Bars

Does anybody remember eating peanut butter bars in grade school? I totally do. They served them as dessert with school lunches & I always remember thinking that one bar was just not enough!

This recipe is pretty darn close to what we experienced in grade school & it makes an entire cookie sheet full. I can only make them if I have a place to take them & share otherwise me & my husband would be forced to eat the entire pan. I must warn you though, they are kinda dangerous...at least in my chocolate/peanut butter loving world :)

School Lunch PB Bars

1 1/2 C Flour

1¼ tsp. Salt

½ tsp. Baking Soda

¾ C Butter

¾ C Sugar

¾ C Brown Sugar

1 ½ tsp. Vanilla

1 1/2 C Creamy Peanut Butter (divided)

2 Eggs

1 ½ C Quick Oats

Frosting:

½ C Butter (1 stick)

3 ½ C Powdered Sugar

2 T Cocoa

¼ C Milk

1 tsp. Vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small mixing bowl, mix together flour, baking soda and salt. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, sugars, 3/4 C peanut butter, eggs & vanilla until light & fluffy. Gradually add dry ingredients, just until incorporated. Then, stir in the oats. Spread onto a greased 11 x 15 Jelly Roll Pan (cookie sheet). Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes.

The frosting is a two step process. First, whip the remaining ¾ C Creamy Peanut Butter until it becomes lighter colored & fluffy. Carefully spread the whipped peanut butter over the pan cookie.

Then, add butter to a small sauce pan & melt the butter. Add the milk & cocoa. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. Heat just until boiling. Remove from heat & add vanilla. Then, gradually add the powdered sugar. Stir until thickened. Pour over the peanut butter & gently spread over the cookie. Cool completely, & slice into bar cookies.

Enjoy :)