No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

I generally pride myself when it comes to being able to resist chocolate. Don’t get me wrong, I love chocolate as much as anyone else, I just try to control my cravings as it goes right to my hips. My only downfall is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. That’s too much temptation for me. Needless to say, Halloween is the only time we keep them in the house. That’s my annual treat. Unfortunately, a couple of weeks ago I discovered a new recipe, which I have to admit, is now on my “dangerous list.” Dangerous, because it’s so good I can’t control my urge to splurge. Oatmeal bars, filled with chocolate and peanut butter. Wish it was as healthy as it tastes. And, “dang it all,” it’s no-bake, which makes it a breeze to prepare. I don’t know the original source of this recipe, as I discovered it on Facebook. Since I had all the ingredients in the pantry already, I thought I would give it a try. Mike loves chocolate and oatmeal bars, so I figured he would enjoy it. Little did I know that I would end up loving it more…..sigh! This truly is an unexpected delight. Proceed with caution, however; one bite of these bars and you will be hooked.

 Grease an 8x8 square baking pan.

 

Chocolate chips missing from this photo, but included in a photo below.

In large saucepan, over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar. Continue stirring until sugar is dissolved. Stir in vanilla. Add oats and mix well to incorporate.

Reduce heat to low and continue cooking 2 to 3 minutes. Press slightly more than half of the mixture into the bottom of prepared baking dish. Reserve balance of oat mixture for top.

In small heavy saucepan, melt chocolate chips and peanut butter over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth.

Pour the chocolate mixture over the crust in the pan. Spread evenly with a spatula, or back of spoon.

Top with remaining oat mixture, pressing in gently.

Optional decorating glaze: Microwave chocolate chops and oil 1 minute, stirring after 30 seconds. Stir well to fully melt chips. Pour melted chocolate into decorating bottle, or resealable plastic bag. If using plastic bag, snip off tip in corner so you can use it as a decorating bag. 

Drizzle criss-cross pattern over top of bars.

Cover bars and refrigerate 2 hours. Cut into squares and store in air-tight container. Return to refrigerator for at least another hour, or overnight. 

NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BARS
Source:  Facebook (Unknown)
Posted by:  www.meldingmagic.com

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup butter
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips         
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

Decorator Glaze (optional):

• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 Tablespoon vegetable oil        

DIRECTIONS:

1. Grease an 8x8-inch square baking pan.
2. In large saucepan, over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar. Continue stirring until sugar is
    dissolved. Stir in vanilla. Add oats and mix well to incorporate.
3. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking 2 to 3 minutes. Press a little more than half of the mixture
     into the bottom of prepared baking dish. Reserve balance of oat mixture for top.
4. In small heavy saucepan, melt chocolate chips and peanut butter over low heat, stirring constantly
    until smooth.
5. Pour the chocolate mixture over the crust in the pan. Spread evenly with a spatula, or back of spoon.
6. Top with remaining oat mixture, pressing in gently.
7. Optional Glaze: Microwave chocolate chips and oil 1 minute, stirring after 30 seconds. Stir well to fully
    melt chips. Pour into decorating bottle, or resealable plastic bag (with corner snipped). Drizzle criss-
    cross pattern over top of bars.
8. Cover bars and refrigerate 2 hours. Cut into squares and store in an air-tight container. Return to
    refrigerator for another hour, or overnight.