Just call me Betty.

Crocker, not Page. Though either would be quite flattering.
I've been in a baking mood lately- and on a huge peanut butter kick.
Any time I can add peanut butter to the mix, I do. Literally.
And seeing that my "Peanut Butter Walnut and Banana Bread" was such a hit, I decided oatmeal cookies would be next.

So yesterday after making Mr M Sausage Peppers & Onions for his work lunch, I decided to scour the Internet for a recipe.
I came across a cookie bar recipe that stood out and had room for slight variation, and it was AMAZING.

I ended up altering the ingredient list here and there, and have as such changed it here to reflect the changes I made.
Mr M took the entire pan into work with him, and came back this morning with a empty dish piratically licked clean. The boys have asked for me to make them again, in my book that is a success!


Chewy Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars-
Prep: 15 minutes Bake: 22 minutes Cool: 1-24 hours.

Ingredients:
1 Cup Butter, softened
1 Cup Brown Sugar, packed
1 Cup White sugar
1 Tbsp Pure Vanilla Extract
1/2 tsp Sea Salt
1 tsp Baking Soda
2 Tbsp Half & Half cream
1 Cup Peanut Butter (full fat)
2 Large Eggs
2 Cups Oatmeal (1cup Old fashioned Oats, 1cup quick oats works best)
2 Cups All-purpose Baking Flour
1 12 oz bag Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (half of bag reserved)
1/2 Cup Crushed walnuts (optional)

Instructions:
1: Set oven rack to second lowest position in oven, and then pre-heat to 350 degrees.

2: Grease a 13x9 pan (glass works best)

3: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer set on medium speed; cream butter,
sugars, and vanilla until sugar granules are dissolved.

4: Add in Peanut butter, Half & Half, & eggs to the butter/sugar mixture and blend until smooth

5: In separate bowl combine Flour, salt, baking soda, Oats, and walnuts (optional),
mix with a spoon until all oats are separated and coated with flour.

6: Using your electric mixer on lowest setting, add in dry ingredients.
Batter will be very thick, but should be a smooth, even texture.

7: With a spatula, fold in the first half of you chocolate chips.

8: Spread cookie mixture in the greased 13x9 pan, making sure to keep it as even as possible.

9: Bake for 22 minutes, the dough will look undercooked but refrain from cooking any longer!!

10: Let bars cool in pan for 30 minutes, cover top of bars with remaining chocolate chips.
Smooth once they are heated to make a "frosting".

11: Cool**, cut & serve!

** I recommend letting the bars cool in the pan for AT LEAST 5 hours. Bars will set up more and more as the cool, I think 24 hours give the best results.**