So much in life is difficult: marriage, taxes, liquid eyeliner... so when something easy presents itself, we'd be fools not to jump on it.
My daughter asked me the other day to make her a special after-school treat. Her request was simple: she wanted oatmeal, peanut butter and chocolate chips, "all together." Easy.
These bars? Even easier.
Eating them? The easiest!
These Peanut Butter-Chocolate Oatmeal Bars are a little bit chewy, a little bit crunchy, and a whole lot of yummy.
And they're a really easy way to improve a difficult day.
Easy Peanut Butter-Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
- 2 c. all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 t. baking soda
- 1 c. butter, softened
- 1/2 c. granulated sugar
- 1/2 c. packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
- 1 t. pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 t. ground cinnamon
- 1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly butter a 9 x 13" baking dish and line with parchment paper so paper extends up two sides.
Combine flour, rolled oats, and baking soda in a bowl. Set aside.
In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the peanut butter and mix well. Add the vanilla and cinnamon and stir to combine.
Add the dry ingredients and mix at low speed until combined. Mixture will be dry and crumbly.
Press about 2/3 of the dough into the bottom of prepared pan. Bake on center oven rack for 20 minutes.
Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle evenly with chocolate chips.
Crumble remaining dough between your fingers and distribute evenly over the chocolate chips. Bake for another 25 minutes.
Let cool before cutting.
