Peanut Butter Bars

Once in a while, there is a recipe that will take you back to a time when things were simpler, and brings back memories. These peanut butter bars are just that to me. My mom used to make this for us on occasion, and it always made it a good day at school when the lunch ladies decided to whip up a batch of this piece of heaven. If I ever need to bribe my dad or make him a gift he is sure to love, a pan of these will do the trick!

The moment I found out that my poor husband had never had a peanut butter bar or even heard of it, I had to make some. I'm happy to announce that he approves of this recipe and I'm a little embarrassed to announce that I may have eaten more than my share while he was at work...

Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup peanut butter {smooth or crunchy}
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 cup oats

Directions:

1. Cream together sugars, butter, peanut butter and eggs.
2. Add in baking soda, salt, vanilla, and alternate mixing in the flour and oats. Mix until well blended.
3. Press dough evenly onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes exactly.
   *Don't worry, it will look like it's a little too "fluffy" for the pan when it comes out of the oven, but it will be perfect once it cools!
4. Let cool completely.
5. Frost the bars with peanut butter {smooth or crunchy}.
6. Frost over the peanut butter with chocolate frosting {canned frosting works great, or use chocolate fudge frosting recipe below}.
7. Cut into squares and enjoy!

Chocolate Fudge Frosting:
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup milk
5 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 cup chocolate chips

1. Put first 3 ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
2. Remove from heat and add chocolate chips.
3. Whip until creamy and cooled.

Would love to hear if you try these out!

What are some of your favorite homemade treats from when you were young?