Oatmeal Peanut Butter Snack Squares.

 Welcome to the 932nd variation of a peanut butter snack bar.

I know you really need another one.

Because the other 931 versions just don’t tickle your fancy.

Because I just… know you.

Because what’s more fun that a humongous ball of dough?

I know that you like to take a bite of a pretzel then a bite of a brownie, preferably double fist style. Maybe you like to squish potato chips on your sandwiches like I used to do at Mother Lovett’s house on Sunday afternoons? Yes, yes… you probably do. We’re like peas and carrots.*  But really, nothing like peas and carrots since you won’t find either of those items in my house nor would I ever want to be one. Ever.  I’d much rather be peanut butter and chocolate, bacon and eggs, or cheese and wine.

Much better.

I know that you like pizza for breakfast and beer in weird things, like marshmallows and pasta, and sometimes… in breakfast.

Hey… don’t shoot the messenger.

And I don’t really feel like making a big stink to convince your that these bars are amazing, because um… I’m watching Sweet Home Alabama for the millionth time and 932 variations of peanut butter oatmeal bars is no exaggeration. You’ll make them if you want to. Hopefully you’ll love them too and won’t pay me to go away a la A+ F and the Situation. Speaking of, can I just tell you that I’ve had to watch Regis and Kelly each morning for Regis’ Mother Lovett-isms, like yesterday when he called the Situation the “Satisfaction?” I sat and laughed to myself for about four full minutes. Then I cried.

 

So I like these bars because they are: peanut buttery, oatmealy, dense, sort of sweet, kind of cake-like and non-granola like. Plus, they are snacky type bars and… I really love snacks. I also put about 8000 mini chocolate chips inside because they are mini. Which is probably another giant reason that I like them. Which means that there are tiny bite sized antioxidants in here and I really need some of those. Don’t you?

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Squares

makes 9 squares

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour

1 cup old fashioned oats

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup brown sugar

3/4 cups creamy peanut butter, like Skippy Natural

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup milk (I used vanilla almond milk)

1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, add peanut butter and sugar and mix on high speed until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add in vanilla extract and mix until combined.

3. Add in flour, oats, salt and baking soda, mixing on medium speed. The dough will look crumbly and you want the peanut butter mix to be broken up into clumps. Add milk with the mixer on low speed, and mix until a dough forms. Fold in chocolate chips.

4. Make sure dough is completely combined, and roll it into a ball with your hands. Place it in the middle of an 8×8 baking dish, pressing it to fit. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until set and golden on top. Let cool completely, then cut into 9 squares.

*Ew.