No-Bake Chocolate and Peanut Butter Oat Bars

I have an amazing 13 year old daughter.  She keeps me very busy with her endless sports, friends and activities but she is just a memorable person to be around.  I love to watch her talk, at 100 mph, about all of the above topics and it always brings a smile to my face.  Since she is my oldest, deep down, I am terrified as I watch her grow into a gorgeous young lady and need me less each day but yet, it is thrilling to see it happen at the same time.  Parenting is so weird that way!

She has inherited my love of baking and this summer especially, has enjoyed experimenting in the kitchen.  One of her favorites is a no-bake cookie so when I saw this recipe on a blog I subscribe to, I knew it was perfect for her.  We made them together this afternoon and they were really great.  The only debate tonight at the dinner table was whether or not to add more of the oat mixture next time.  Half thought they were perfect as is, and the other felt they needed more in the top and bottom crust.  I was included in the latter group.  Next try at these, I will make a recipe and a half of just the oat mixture and keep the chocolate and peanut butter portion the same.

No-Bake Chocolate and Peanut Butter Oat Bars

2/3 C butter

1/2 C brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

3 C oats

1 1/4 C semisweet chocolate chips

3/4 C peanut butter

1.  Grease a 9x9 square pan.  Melt butter in medium sauce pan and stir in brown sugar and vanilla.  Mix in the oats and cook over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes.

2.  Press half the mixture into the bottom of the pan.

3.  Place chocolate chips and peanut butter into a microwave safe bowl and microwave on high for 1 minute.  Mix together until smooth.  Pour over oats in the pan and smooth out.

4.  Sprinkle remaining oat mixture over the chocolate layer and press gently.  Cover and refrigerate 2 to 3 hours.  If they are hard to cut when serving, just allow them to sit for a few minutes until the chocolate layers warms up slightly.