Peanut Butter Bars

This is how awesome I am at decorating and getting things up on my walls….

Christmas 2011 we got a Family Home Evening board from my aunt.  We’ve always wanted one, finally get one, and it sat.  It sat until just last month.  For over a year it sat and collected dust. 

Our intentions were good.  We loved the gift and planned to hang it right away.  The problem is, Anthony and I are 90%-ers.  It’s a sad story, really.  Every project we start gets done 90%.  The last 10% of the project gets left out completely.  And after all, actually owning the FHE board and planning to hang it up is 90% of the battle, right? 

But we did it!!  Be proud!  Sure, it’s a year late BUT it’s hanging up and getting used.  The kids love knowing who’s in charge of each part of FHE and I love not feeling like I have to plan the whole thing.  Being a 90%-er is hard work! 

Last week it was H’s turn to make the treat.  That’s the job that all the kids want each week because I don’t let anyone help except that one person.  Normally they have to take turns pouring ingredients in. 

Taking turns… ICK!  Nobody likes to do that.  At least not around these here parts.

But I digress.

H chose a recipe that we had never tried before from one of my cookbooks.  I’ve had peanut butter bars before but these were super yummy!  Better than any I’ve ever tried before.  I hope you enjoy them as much as we did.  It makes a HUGE batch… a large cookie sheet full.  Anthony couldn’t keep his hands off of them!

BARS:

• 1 1/2 c. sugar
• 1 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 1 1/2 c. butter
• 1 1/2 c. peanut butter
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 3 c. flour
• 1 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 3 c. quick oats

Preheat oven to 325*.  In large mixing bowl cream first 4 ingredients.  Add the eggs and vanilla.  Mix well.  Combine dry ingredients in separate bowl and add to wet mixture.  Mix well and press into the bottom of a large cookie sheet.  Bake at 325* for 10 minutes then raise temperature to 375* and bake for another 10-15 minutes. 

FROSTING:

• 3 T. cocoa
• 1/2 c. butter
• 3 – 3 1/2 c. powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 6 T. milk

Melt butter with coca in a saucepan.  Remove from heat.  Add sugar, vanilla and milk.  Stir with whisk until smooth.  Poor over COOLED bars and spread.  Refrigerate to harden frosting. 

Recipe Source:  Worldwide Ward Cookbook:  Mom’s Best Recipes