Peanut Butter Lovers'/Converts' Chocolate Oat Bars

[bubblebubba]

Oh gosh, it has been virtually forever since I have posted a recipe here! But you'll forgive me in about 0.0005 seconds, because a) you are going to hate me for this recipe, and b) you are going to LOVE me for this recipe. Original, chewy, and friend-tested. Peanut buttery heaven.




If you think this is cute, I have tons of pictures and banners for this incredibly chewy bar. For the full recipe and a really FUN new photoseries (which includes other fun Peanut Butter banners like the one above!) titled "TEN REASONS TO GET JIGGY WITH PEANUT BUTTER RIGHT NOW (MAYBE EVEN WHILE YOU READ THIS)," visit my newly made-over blog!

Peanut Butter Lovers’/Converts’ Chocolate Oat SquaresPossibly the most insanely peanut butter-packed, chewy, satisfying squares I have ever invented, filled with plenty of brown sugar, peanut butter, oats, and chocolate. Perfect for an afternoon snack or a surprise dessert!Yield: 9×13-inch baking panIngredients:

• 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup peanut butter (I used smooth)
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided in half
• Assorted chopped candies or nuts, optional (but a great way to use up those Halloween leftovers!)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and brown sugar. Add peanut butter and mix in well, until smooth.
3. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract until mixture is no longer clumpy.
4. Add remaining dry ingredients (flour, oats, baking powder, and salt) and stir in until just incorporated. Be sure not to overmix-overmixing will result in tough batter and bars!
5. Gently fold half of the chocolate chips (3/4 cup) into the oats batter.
6. Place remaining 3/4 cup chocolate chips in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Melt chocolate in microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring vigorously between each interval to prevent chocolate from scorching. (Note: You will want to stop microwaving at the point when your chocolate is just melted-at this point, stir it vigorously some more until all of the chocolate is smooth and melted.)
7. Scoop half of the peanut butter oat mixture into your prepared baking pan and pat into an even layer. Pour melted chocolate over this layer, then scoop the remaining peanut butter mixture over the chocolate layer. Pat down peanut butter oats as well as you can-it’s okay if some chocolate peeks through! (It’s actually cuter this way.)
8. Bake bars in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until bars begin to set but are still soft and slightly underbaked in appearance. Remove bars immediately from oven and allow to cool on stovetop for an addition 15-20 minutes. During this time, your bars will continue baking for a nice chewy texture, and you will continue salivating while you stick your spoon into the peanut butter jar for yet another consoling bite.
9. After your bars have completely cooled, cut into squares and enjoy the bliss!