Peanut Butter Bars

I've searched high and low for a recipe for the peanut butter bars of my elementary school days and finally, finally found one that is almost spot-on...maybe even a teeny bit better.  These are so delicious, they feed a crowd, and are simple to make.  Recipe slightly adapted from The Food Nanny.

1 1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 c. butter, softened
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
3 tsp. vanilla
4 large eggs
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp soda
3 c. flour
3 c. regular oats


Preheat oven to 350.  Cream together the peanut butter, butter, sugars, and vanilla.  Add the eggs one at a time while mixing on low and mix until blended.  Stir the dry ingredients in a bowl and then add the dry to the wet one cup at a time until well mixed.  Press the dough into a 17 1/2 by 13 inch baking sheet with your fingers.  Bake for 15 mins.  Do not over bake.  Let cool completely, then frost with chocolate frosting (recipe below).

Chocolate Frosting:

4 c. powdered sugar
2/3 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 c. unsalted butter, softenend
1 TB vanilla
2 TB corn syrup
1/3 c. heavy cream

In a bowl, stir together the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and salt.  In a large bowl, cream the butter until light and fluffy.  Beat in the vanilla and corn syrup.  Mix in the sugar mixture one cup at a time.  Mix in the cream, then whip on high speed for 3 minutes, adding more cream if necessary to make the frosting spreadable.