Oatmeal Peanut Butter Bars

with Chocolate Frosting

by Lee LeAnn R. Ralph
 

Oatmeal is a heart-healthy food. The fiber in oatmeal helps to remove the bad cholesterol from your system. Americans also do not typically eat enough fiber, and oatmeal adds fiber to the diet. Plus, chocolate is now known to be a great anti-oxidant.

But the bottom line is -- these Oatmeal Peanut Butter Bars are just plain good! My husband loves them and could eat the whole pan by himself.

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon soda
3 cups dry oatmeal (I have used both quick-cooking or old-fashioned)

Cream the shortening, butter and sugars. Stir in the eggs, vanilla, and peanut butter. Stir in remaining ingredients. Put in a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool. Frost with chocolate frosting.

Chocolate Frosting

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1 2/3 cup sugar
6 tablespoons butter
6 tablespoons milk
2/3 cup chocolate chips

Boil the sugar, butter and milk for 30 seconds. Stir in the chocolate chips until smooth. Pour the frosting over the oatmeal bars and allow to cool before cutting.

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LeAnn R. Ralph is the author of books about growing up on a small family dairy farm 40 years ago. The Midwest Book Review calls this series of books “Highly recommended reading!” You are invited to sign up for the twice-monthly newsletter from Rural Route 2 -- http://ruralroute2.com