I am a sucker for sweets. As a kid my grandmother used to take us to get ice cream, frozen yogurt or candy at least once a week. That love for sweet, gooey, fudgy treats has stuck with me. Every once in a while I like to make something that really makes my heart sing... anything with chocolate and peanut butter...
It takes me back to my childhood. It tastes freakin' delicious. And it makes me happy. And I remind myself of that as I eat my second and third helpings.
I encourage you to treat yourself. If this recipe isn't your fav, then find one that has your favorites. Spending an afternoon baking something delicious with a loved one, with your kids, or with your beautiful self is a treat in itself. So go ahead... Indulge a little :)
Honey Roasted Peanut Butter Chocolate Oat Bars
Serves: 16
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cook Time: 35 min.
Total Time: 45 min.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup old fashioned oats
- 2 teaspoons espresso powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup honey roasted peanut butter, creamy
- 1/2 brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9"x9" baking pan with parchment paper, leaving 1 inch overhang on two opposite ends to serve as handles.
- Combine the flour, oats, espresso powder, baking powder, and salt in a bowl and set aside.
- Cream the butter, peanut butter, and sugars with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth.
- Gradually add in the dry ingredients until just incorporated. The dough will be very stiff. Use a spatula to fold in about 3/4ths of the chocolate chips (by hand).
- Dump the dough into the prepared pan and press evenly until level. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips over the top and gently press into the dough.
- Place in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Rotate the pan after 10 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and use an offset metal spatula to smear the melted chocolate chips around the top. Return to oven and bake for another 10 minutes. Check with a toothpick: inserted in the center, it should come out slightly moist with a few crumbs. If it needs more baking, tent with foil and bake another 5 minutes. Test again with the toothpick.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes. Use the parchment paper handles to gently lift the entire square from the pan and place on a rack to cool completely before slicing.
Recipe from Soup Addict.
Photo Source: Soup Addict.