If you are trying to avoid sweets as part of your New Year’s resolutions, then you should probably avert your eyes. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. These peanut bars will for sure not be fitting into your diet anytime soon. But, you really should make them anyways. Because they are that good!  I got the recipe from my mother-in-law and these are tried and true delicious. It’s one of those recipes you will make over and over again. The recipe makes a whole half sheet pan’s worth, so when you make them you have plenty to share (and sharing keeps you from taking small pieces of them here and there until you realize that half of the pan is gone-oops). These peanut butter and oatmeal bars are perfect for a large gathering and are quick to put together. We had them most recently at a baby blessing at the beginning of the month and they were a hit.

School Lunch Peanut Butter Bars

Bars-
1 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup peanut butter
1 1/4 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups old fashioned oats

Frosting-
1/2 cup butter
4 tablespoons milk
4 tablespoons cocoa powder
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugars. Add eggs, peanut butter and vanilla and mix until smooth. Add the flour, baking soda, salt and oats. Spread into a half sheet pan lined with parchment paper (or greased). Bake for 12-14 minutes till top is lightly brown.

For the frosting- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Turn the heat to low and add the cocoa powder and milk; stir to combine. Gradually add the powdered sugar a cup at a time and stir to incorporate. Pour the frosting over the warm peanut butter bars and spread.

Allow the bars to set up for about an hour for slicing. They will seem very soft when you get them out of the oven, but you do not want to over bake them. They are supposed to be nice and soft.