No Bake Chocolate Oat Bars

by Emily Holt

1 1/2 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 cups quick cooking oats
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups peanut butter (mine has no added sugars – it’s organic – straight peanuts)

Directions:
1. Grease a 9x9 inch square pan.
2. Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and vanilla. Mix in the oats. Cook over low heat 2 to 3 minutes, or until ingredients are well blended. Press mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
3. Meanwhile, melt chocolate chips and peanut butter in a small heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth. Pour the chocolate mixture over the crust in the pan, and spread evenly with a knife or the back of a spoon.
4. Refrigerate 2 to 3 hours or overnight. Bring to room temperature before cutting into bars.

This makes one big cookie sheet. We love to put them in ziplock baggies and keep them in the freezer, for handy snacking! I like to tell myself because of the oats and PB that they are healthy!