Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars with Chocolate

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars with Chocolate

Ingredients:

– **For the base and topping:**
– 1 cup unsalted butter
– 1 cup brown sugar, packed
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1 cup creamy peanut butter
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon salt

– **For the chocolate layer:**
– 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
– 1 cup creamy peanut butter

Instructions:

1. **Preheat Oven:**
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.

2. **Prepare the base:**
– In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
– Add the peanut butter and vanilla extract, and mix until smooth.
– In a separate bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, baking soda, and salt.
– Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until well combined.

3. **Bake the base:**
– Press about 2/3 of the mixture into the prepared baking dish to form an even layer.
– Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.

4. **Prepare the chocolate layer:**
– In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and peanut butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth.

5. **Assemble the bars:**
– Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the baked oatmeal base, spreading it into an even layer.
– Crumble the remaining oatmeal mixture over the chocolate layer.

6. **Bake:**
– Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 12-15 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden.

7. **Cool and serve:**
– Allow the bars to cool completely in the baking dish before cutting them into squares.

Enjoy your homemade peanut butter oatmeal bars with chocolate!