Peanut Butter Crunch Bars with Reese's Pieces

Sometimes I just need a peanut-buttery treat. Okay, probably more than "sometimes" . . . Frequently . . . Most of the time . . . Alright, always! This recipe is the recipe for Peanut Butter Crunch Bars that they served at my high school, and they are soooo good. Peanut butter and oatmeal in the bars, plus a peanut butter frosting? Double score. Oh, and I added Reese's Pieces . . . Triple Score! These are really filling, but also really addicting. You know, the kind where you're really full, but you can't stop from eating more? Yep, these are like that. Eat with caution. :)

You can certainly leave out the Reese's Pieces, or the frosting, or both, but the combination of the two on top of the bars is really, really yummy. I found the recipe over here, on the blog of a girl I went to high school with and her husband. If you get a chance check it out! It's a fun blog and deals with lots of relevant problems including financial, spiritual, relationship, parenting, and many others.

Peanut Butter Crunch Bars with Reese's Pieces
1/2 c. margarine, softened
1/2 c. shortening
1 3/4 c. white sugar
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. peanut butter
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 c. milk
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. flour
3 c. oatmeal
3/4-1 c. Reese's Pieces (could also use chocolate chips, Reese's PB Cups, M&Ms, or I think Snickers would be good, too!)
1. Preheat oven to 350, and grease an 11x15 pan. (This makes a lot, so you could probably put it in two 9x13 pans and bring one to a friend or to work!)
2. Cream together margarine, shortening, both sugars, and peanut butter until smooth, approximately 2 minutes.
3. Add eggs, vanilla, milk, soda, and salt, and beat again for 2 minutes.
4. Stir in flour and oatmeal until combined. Spread evenly in prepared pan.
5. Sprinkle Reese's Pieces over the top and press in lightly with your hand. Bake 25-28 minutes, or until light golden brown on top. Allow to cool completely before frosting.

Frosting
3/4 c. peanut butter
2 1/2 Tbls. margarine
1/2 tsp. vanilla
4 c. powdered sugar
1/3-1/2 c. water
1. Beat together all ingredients but water until smooth and creamy.
2. Slowly add in 1/3 c. water and see if it's the consistency you want. If you want it thinner, add water one Tbls. at a time until it's how you like.

Hugs and cookies,

Amanda