Triple Peanut Butter Bars

Back around Christmas, I participated in a cookie swap.  The person that I received said that she loved peanut butter cookies and oatmeal caramelitas, so I set out to research something that could infuse the two.  For the longest time, I wasn't finding anything and then one day on pinterest, I guess I entered the magic search phrase and these appeared.  They have some of the same qualities as a caramelita (the crumbly oatmeal bottom and top layer) but the flavorful middle part.   

The cookie swap was a success, but I never posted the recipe for my cookie bars because I never took a picture.  Recently, I decided to make these for Jacob's coworkers and so I snapped a shot so I could post these bars.  

Triple Peanut Butter Bars
slightly adapted from Midwest Living
Ingredients
1 1/2cups quick-cooking rolled oats

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup butter
1/2 cup chopped, unsalted dry roasted peanuts
1 cup peanut butter-flavored pieces
1/2 cup semi-sweet milk chocolate chips
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, cut into pieces
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Directions

1) Line a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with foil, extending the foil over edges of pan; set aside.

2) For crust: In a large bowl, combine oats, the 1 cup flour, the 1-1/2 cups brown sugar, the 1 teaspoon baking powder and the 1/2 teaspoon baking soda. Using a pastry blender, cut in the 1 cup butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

3) Remove 1 cup of crumb mixture to reserve for topping. Stir peanuts and peanut butter-flavored pieces into the 1 cup reserved topping mixture; set aside.

4) Press remaining crumb mixture onto the bottom of prepared baking pan. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 10 minutes. Cool at least 15 minutes in pan on a wire rack.

5) In a medium saucepan, heat the 1 cup brown sugar, the 1/4 cup butter and peanut butter over medium heat until butter melts and mixture is smooth, stirring constantly. Cool slightly. Stir in egg and vanilla. Stir in the 1-1/4 cups flour, the 1/2 teaspoon baking powder and the 1/4 teaspoon baking soda. Drop in very small mounds evenly over the crust in pan. Sprinkle with reserved topping mixture.

6) Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool completely on wire rack before lifting from pan using edges of foil and cutting into bars.

 

 

These to me are the perfect bars.  They have a little bit of chocolate, the peanut butter, and then the crumbly cookie portion.  I think these would make the perfect summer picnic bars for parties or even just park trips.  They are pretty crumbly, so make sure you have a crumb-catcher in hand (or a dog/vaccuum cleaner)...plus a really big glass of milk.  All the great desserts need a good glass of milk.