Chocolate Frosted Peanut Butter Bars

These bars have great chocolate-peanut butter flavor and are just perfect to feed a crowd.  The cookie base is a perfect texture and flavor and is topped with a layer of peanut butter and then chocolate frosting.  All the greatness of a cookie (plus frosting!), and in quick bar form. 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Ingredients:
For the bars:
2 cups (10 oz) all-purpose flour
2 cups (6.4 oz) quick oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cup (9.5 oz) packed light-brown sugar
3/4 cup (5.7 oz) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup (8.6 oz) creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the frostings:
1 cup (8.6 oz) creamy peanut butter

1/4 cup unsalted butter
3/4 cup chocolate chips
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup heavy cream (or milk)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a rimmed 13x18 inch cookie sheet. 

2. In a medium sized mixing bowl stir together flour, oats, baking soda and salt.  Set aside.

3. In a large mixing bowl cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.  Add the eggs and blend well.  Add 1 cup peanut butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla and mix well.  Add the flour mixture and mix until just combined. 

4. Put dough into prepared cookie sheet.  Spray hands with non-stick cooking spray and press the dough into an even layer in pan.  Bake for 12-15 minutes until just golden.  (The edges should be puffed and beginning to set, but still soft.)

5. Remove from oven and cool 5 minutes.  Drop spoonfuls of the remaining 1 cup peanut butter over the top and let sit for 1 minute.  Spread into an even layer. Allow to cool completely.

6. For the frosting, melt 1/4 cup butter and chocolate chips in the microwave for one minute.  Stir.  Continue warming in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until completely melted and combined.  Transfer to a mixing bowl.  Stir in the salt and vanilla.  Add cocoa powder, powdered sugar and cream.  Beat until fluffy.  Spread over cool bars.

Source: Bar recipe from www.cookingclassy.com; frosting adapted from my friend, Janette