No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

from Chow Bella

3/4 cup unsalted butter (save the butter wrapper to butter the baking dish)

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups old-fashioned oatmeal

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup natural peanut butter (smooth or chunky, I like Jif Natural)

 

1. Melt the butter in a large sauce pan over low heat. Stir in brown sugar, vanilla, and oatmeal. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Press half of mixture in to the bottom of a buttered 8x8-inch dish, however I used an odd-shaped 7x9-inch dish.

2. Meanwhile, add the chocolate and peanut butter to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until melted and blended. Pour the chocolate peanut butter mixture over the oats pressed into the pan. Reserve about 3 tbsp to drizzle over the top.

3. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate and peanut butter layer.  Using a flat-bottomed measuring cup and/or your hands, gently press the top layer of oats until they are relatively smooth on top. Using a fork, drizzle the remaining chocolate and peanut butter over the top of the bars in a decorative pattern.

4. Refrigerate for 3 hours before cutting and serving. A thin-bladed sharp knife worked well to cut these. Clean the knife off on a towel in between cuts to make sure you get smooth edges.