Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars: A Classic Combo

Love and marriage.
Fred and Ginger. (Brad and Angelina just doesn't have the same ring.)
Pumpkins and fall.
Chocolate and peanut butter.
Some things just go together.

Randy would probably disagree. Peanut butter isn't his favorite. He's never going to choose to eat a peanut butter sandwich or smear peanut butter on a banana. But he will tolerate it in a cookie or quick bread. That's why I usually save the recipes with peanut butter for those times when I'm making a recipe to take somewhere else.

Jill sent me this recipe from a potluck at her work quite awhile ago.  I stirred up the recipe and took a plateful (along with barbecue meatballs) to a family who had gathered to say goodbye to their wife, mom and grandma.

The recipe is definitely going in the save pile.  The creamy peanut butter/sweetened condensed layer provided a burst of extra flavor.

Surely the oatmeal gives it a few redeeming qualities. I can always hope, right? Even Randy thought they were pretty good ... for peanut butter.

If you want to dress them up for a party or make them prettier for a cookie tray assortment, you could substitute mini M & Ms for the chocolate chips. Enjoy!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 3/4 cups light brown sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup butter
1/2 cup chopped peanuts
1 large egg, beaten
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine oats, brown sugar, flour, baking powder and baking soda in large bowl. Cut in butter with pastry blender until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in peanuts. Reserve 1 1/2 cups crumb mixture; set aside.

To the remaining crumbs, add beaten egg, mixing well. Press into bottom of a 13- by 9-inch baking pan. Bake 15 minutes.

Stir together sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter in small bowl until well combined. Pour evenly over partially-baked crust.

Stir together reserved crumb mixture and chocolate chips. Sprinkle evenly over peanut butter layer. Bake an additional 15 minutes. Cool. Cut into bars.

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Today, I am linked to Wake Up Wednesday, a feature co-hosted by Wichita blogger and fellow K-Stater Ashley. Check out what's cooking by clicking on the link.