Soft & Fluffy Peanut Butter Bars

I had a slight addiction to these. 

 I would cut skinny pieces off each bar until the bar was gone.  Finally I just started eating whole bars.  Then I decided these have to go into the freezer so I wouldn't be further tempted. 

Well I went into the freezer yesterday, and lets just say I wasn't looking for frozen meat or veggies!

Something so delicious definitely needs to be shared!

These are moist, soft and the peanut butter/chocolate combination is intoxicating! 

That is if you like peanut butter and chocolate!  These also freeze well!

These bars have several steps, but don't let that scare you away! They are well worth the time involved!

Beat butter and PB until fluffy.

I am a HUGE fan of natural PB, but these bars do not come as moist and yummy if you use the natural stuff! So I broke down and bought some regular Jif

Add in sugars and continue beating.

Mixture should look like this.  Add in the eggs and vanilla extract and mix well.

When dough is mixed well, add dry ingredients.  I used quick oats.  Mix on low speed until all is combined.

Spread dough into a greased jelly roll pan.  Mine measures 12 x 17.

Bake bars at 375 degrees for 10-13 minutes until very light brown. 

 Do not over bake these bars! They will not be as moist if cooked to long!  Edges should only be light brown.  The center of the bars will still be pale, but will appear cooked.

Meanwhile, put 1 cup of peanut butter into bowl.  This again is the Jif normal PB.

Whip with hand mixer until light and fluffy. 

 Who would have thought that just PB could look like this with a little mixing!

Spread whipped PB on warm crust.  Put in the freezer until PB layer is frozen.

While the bars are freezing, mix up the frosting. 

When PB is frozen, remove bars from freezer and pour frosting on bars. 

At this point, try to work quickly.  Spread frosting evenly over bars.  If you work quick enough, the frosting will be really shiny.  But if you continue messing with it, it will get dull like mine below. 

I like the shiny look, but I figured I would even it out a little more and it was too late! It became dull! It certainly doesn't affect the taste! Just the looks!!



And there you have it! A giant pan of scrum-didly-umptious PB Bars! 

SOFT & FLUFFY PEANUT BUTTER BARS

Dough:

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup butter, slightly softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

2 cups oatmeal

Filling:

1 cup peanut butter

Frosting:

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup cocoa

1/3 cup milk

4 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

dash salt

Mix together peanut butter and butter until creamy.  Add in sugars.  Beat until fluffy.  Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.  Add in dry ingredients and mix on low speed until combined.  Spread dough into a greased 12 x 17 jellyroll pan.  Bake at 375 for 10-13 minutes until edges are a very light brown.  Center of bars will still be pale.  Do not over bake!

Whip 1 cup peanut butter with hand mixer until light in color and fluffy.  Spread onto warm crust.  Put pan in freezer until peanut butter layer is frozen and firm to the touch.

While bars are freezing, make frosting.  In a saucepan over medium-low, heat together butter, cocoa, and milk until mixture comes to a boil.  Remove from heat.  Add in powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt.  Mix with hand mixer.  Frosting will be somewhat runny. 

Remove bars from freezer when ready, and pour frosting over top.  Working quickly, spread frosting over bars.  Slice into bars and enjoy!

These freeze well!