Peanut butter cookie bars

Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

I was so in the mood for quick, easy, and chocolaty today.  I found this recipe at Big Oven and it was just what I was looking for – one bowl, one spoon, and no standing at the stove scooping cookies or cupcake batter.  Perfect.  And I’d like to state, just for the record, that this is even a little healthy.  We’re talking oats, first of all.  Peanut butter.  Whole wheat flour.  So even though it tastes really good and gooey, it’s still not all that bad, right?  Come on.  Humor me.

I raided the kids’ Easter baskets a tiny bit for this one.  Trust me, it was for the greater good.  And they got so much candy that they probably won’t even be able to tell.  If they do notice, I’ll distract them with the yummy cookie bars.  Anyway, I nabbed some of their Reese’s peanut butter cups and chopped them up to sprinkle on top of the cookie after it had been in the oven for about 10 minutes.  I sprinkled a handful of semi-sweet chocolate chips on too, just for good measure.

As always, I didn’t bake these as long as the recipe called for and I played with the flour.  These were just what I was looking for.  Now I wish everyone would get home so they can start snacking on them.  They’re too good for me to be left alone with them for very long!

Recipe:  Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

1/2 c. butter, melted

1/2 c. granulated sugar

1/2 c. packed light brown sugar

1 egg

1/3 c. peanut butter

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 c. all-purpose flour

1/2 c. whole wheat flour  (You can use only all-purpose flour if you’re so inclined.)

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1 c. quick oats

chopped peanut butter cups

Stir together melted butter and sugars and thoroughly combined.  Add egg and mix well.  Stir in peanut butter and vanilla extract.  Add flour, baking powder, and salt; stir to combine.  Stir in oats.  Press mixture into a 9×13 pan (lightly greased).  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  Remove from oven and sprinkle chopped candy bars on top.  Return to oven until golden brown and baked through, about 8-10 more minutes.

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