Peanut Butter Bars

(click on picture to enlarge)

I'm sure everyone in the west has this recipe (or one similar to it) but we found out last week when we made them here in the east not many people had ever heard of them...I was really surprised. We took some bars to some friends that had never heard of them, my hubby took some to work and the girls there had never heard of them either and my girls took some to school; same thing! ...but everyone that tried them loved them! They are SOOO yum!  Just be sure you don't over bake them or you will have to call them "the most disgusting peanut butter bars"...lol... family joke.

Cream together:
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. white sugar
1 c. butter, softened
1 c. peanut butter, creamy
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda

Add:
2 c. flour
2 cups quick oats

Pat out on large cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Bake at 350F for 15 minutes (I take them out at 14 minutes). While still warm, spread layer of peanut butter and let cool completely. I sometimes put the cookie sheet in the freezer to help peanut butter to set up faster. It will be easier to spread the chocolate frosting if peanut butter is set.  When pan is completely cool spread layer of chocolate frosting and enjoy! These are very rich so I cut the bars very small.

Chocolate Frosting:
1 c. butter, softened
8 c. powdered sugar
1/4-1/2 c. milk (depending on how thick you like your frosting)
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. cocoa
1 c. chocolate chips, melted

Cream butter and sugar, adding milk 1 tbsp. at a time until desired consistency. Mix in vanilla. Melt chocolate chips in microwave, 20 seconds at a time, then stir, then 20 seconds again etc. until chocolate is just melted. Do not let chocolate get too hot; only microwave until barely melted. Drizzle chocolate into icing mixture and continue to mix. Add 1/2 c. cocoa and mix well. Spread on peanut butter bars.