mandatory fun

Every year before the start of the school year, the athletic department of the school Sean works at has a mandatory fun evening. Yup, you read that right, mandatory fun. The mandatory fun evening consists of pizza and then we sign up to bring side dishes and desserts. Does it surprise you that Sean knows me well enough to sign us up for dessert every single year? After the pizza dinner the members of the athletic department, head coaches and assistants play a game of softball with a wiffle ball so call that what you will. 

So I made these chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars on Saturday because we were having some friends over for lunch on Sunday and I thought I would have enough to bring to the mandatory fun evening later tonight. Clearly, I underestimate our friends and my husband and their eating abilities. I made a second batch of these bars last night because I can't bring like only 6 bars.

I admit even I like these bars and I am not a big fan of chocolate and peanut butter. I heard that thud, it was your jaw dropping to the floor. Anyways moving on to these delicious bars and a few extra miles of running this week is in order for me :-)

To make these bars you need: 3/4 cup butter, room temperature, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter, 3/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1 1/2 cup flour, 2 cups rolled oats. For the chocolate frosting, 1/2 cup butter, 2 tablespoons cocoa, 3 tablespoons milk, 2 1/2 cup confectioners sugar, 2 teaspoon vanilla. 

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. In your mixer, cream the butter, then add the brown sugar and granulated sugar. 

Add the eggs one at a time and mix in between each egg addition. 

Add the vanilla extract and lastly the peanut butter. 

Now you add in the dry ingredients, the rolled oats, flour and baking soda. 

In a greased 9X13 pan, press the dough evenly then bake for 17-21 minutes. 

Allow the bars to cool completely then spread a thin layer of peanut butter. 

Then make the chocolate frosting. In a sauce pan, melt the butter with the cocoa and milk.

 Heat until boiling. Stir for 2 minutes then remove from heat and add in the confectioners sugar and vanilla extract. 

Spread the chocolate frosting on top of the peanut butter. The chocolate will harden as it cools. Once the chocolate is cooled, then cut into squares and then try and not eat the entire pan in 2 days. I double dog dare you!