Monday, February 16, 2015

No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars


Back when I was cooking in a tree planting camp, I was preparing for the summer by gathering recipes off the internet that would be suitable. It was the one and only season my daughter, Jordan, worked with me as the baker. It was a great summer, after which I worked for 2 more seasons with another less proficient baker, and then had had a enough! Anyways...this recipe is one I found on Allrecipes.com. The first time my daughter used it, she misread the recipe or got recipes mixed up (you have to bake cookies, bars and muffins, as well as a dessert for 60-80 very hungry tree planters a day) and it turned out very different from what it was supposed to. I think she mixed the chocolate and peanut butter mix with the oatmeal mix instead of layering it. But, what we thought was a flop, turned out to be one of the planters favourite treats to take in their lunches!  So, if you are looking for more of a crumbley granola type treat, mix them all together and put into baggies!
Here is the 'correct' and more orthodox way to prepare this absolutely delicious and easy square!

Printable recipe here!

You will need only 6 ingredients. They are all pretty standard things you will have in your pantry.
Peanut butter, chocolate chips, vanilla extract, quick oats, brown sugar, and butter or margarine. You will also need two pots, a couple of spoons and a 9x9 inch pan.


Ready, set, go!
First,  place 1 cup of margarine or butter into one of the posts and melt over medium heat. When it has melted, stir in 1/2 cup of brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Then mix in 3 cups of quick oats. Stir them well and let cook over low heat for 2 minutes.


Grab your 9x9 inch pan, grease it and then dump 1/2 the oatmeal mix in the pan and spread and press into the bottom.


Next, melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter together over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth.


Pour this over the oatmeal crust in the pan. Spread it over evenly.


Crumble the rest of the oatmeal mixture over the top of the chocolate-peanut butter and press gently.


Cover and put it into the fridge for 2-3 hours or overnight.
Bring it to room temperature before you cut it into bars, and then try to resist eating the whole thing yourself and not sharing it with your family!


I guarantee you will be making this again and again. So easy and way too good to forget!