Remember those Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars that were popular during the 50’s and 60’s? If you’re not old enough to remember, don’t worry, they’ve become popular again; Retro is alive and well! The following recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars is an adaptation from a neighbor, Patty Maughan, whose mother was a school lunch baker in the 70’s. These cookies were a favorite with the school children, and also with the adults who were lucky enough to eat school lunch. Over the years, they have become a family favorite.

Bar cookies are the fastest cookies to make, since the dough is simply spread out onto a jelly-roll pan and baked. These cookies have a thin layer of peanut butter spread on the top as soon as they come out of the oven; it soaks into the baked bars, adding to the moistness. When they’re cool, chocolate frosting is spread over the top. Canned chocolate frosting is a real timesaver, and it actually tastes good. It’s okay, however, to spread them with homemade chocolate frosting if so inclined.

48 Bars

3/4 cup butter
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups oats

1/3 to 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 16 oz. can Chocolate frosting or 2 cups homemade chocolate frosting

1. Cream the butter with the brown sugar and peanut butter.


2. Beat in the eggs and vanilla.


3. Add the dry ingredients and mix well.


4. Pat evenly onto a parchment lined jellyroll pan.
   
5. Bake at 350° 15-20 minutes or until set.


6. While warm, spread with a thin layer of peanut butter.


7. Cool thoroughly, then frost with Chocolate frosting.


8. Cut into bars.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 143 Calories from Fat 71
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 50% Protein 7% Carb. 43%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 8 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
Cholesterol 17 mg
Sodium 93 mg
Total Carbohydrate 15 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 5 g
Protein 3 g

Vitamin A 3% Vitamin C 0% Calcium 0% Iron 2%