peanut butter bars.

school lunch peanut butter bars. (vegan.. or not.)
active time: 10 minutes
bake time: 10 minutes
yield: 28 squares (approximately 2.5″ x 2.5″)

ingredients:

• 3/4 cup earth balance or other vegan margarine
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup evaporated cane juice or white sugar
• 1/4 cup applesauce + 1/8 tsp baking soda OR 1 egg (for nonvegan version)
• 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 TB vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 2 cups rolled oats
• more peanut butter for spreading–i’d say 1/3 to 1/2 cup
• 12 oz vegan chocolate chips (i use semi-sweet) OR milk chocolate chips (for nonvegan version)

directions:

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees (f) and spray cooking spray on an 11″ x 17″ baking sheet.
2. cream together first five ingredients: margarine, sugars, applesauce or egg, and peanut butter.
3. add next five ingredients: vanilla, flour, salt, baking soda, and oats. mix well.
4. spread dough evenly onto prepared baking sheet using a rubber spatula or a very clean hand.
5. bake for ten minutes–it will not look done, but if you over-bake it, they will be hard as a rock.
6. let cool completely.
7. spread a thin layer of peanut butter over the bars.
8. in a double broiler or in the microwave on half-power, melt the chocolate chips.
9. spread the melted chocolate over the bars. let cool completely so the chocolate hardens a bit.
10. cut into squares and enjoy!

step-by-step photo tutorial:

preheat oven to 350 degrees (f) and spray cooking spray on an 11″ x 17″ baking sheet.

cream together first five ingredients: margarine, sugars, applesauce or egg, and peanut butter.

add next five ingredients: vanilla, flour, salt, baking soda, and oats. mix well.

spread dough evenly onto prepared baking sheet using a rubber spatula or a very clean hand.

bake for ten minutes–it will not look done, but if you over-bake it, they will be hard as a rock. let cool completely.

spread a thin layer of peanut butter over the bars.

in a double broiler or in the microwave on half-power, melt the chocolate chips.

spread the melted chocolate over the bars. let cool completely so the chocolate hardens a bit.

cut into squares and enjoy!

xo. janetha g.