CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BARS

This is another recipe 17 - year old Miriam Miller shared in her The Wooden Spoon Cookbook of authentic Amish cooking. When I saw the recipe it sounded like the perfect thing for me to make and take to the volunteers at Hillcrest Thrift Shop. 

They honestly like everything I take them. Not sure if it is because it is fresh when I take it (we have sweets donated to us but they are usually a day or two old) or they really do like it. I prefer to think the latter. This one, just as I thought, received high praise.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BARS

1/4       cup oil
1/2       cup sugar
1/3       cup brown sugar
1/2       cup peanut butter
1           egg
2          tablespoons water
1           teaspoon vanilla
1-1/4    cup flour
3/4      teaspoon soda
1/2       teaspoon salt
3/4      cup chocolate chips, divided
1/2       cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, stir together the oil and sugars with a wooden spoon. Add the peanut butter.

Lightly beat the egg in a small bowl with a fork; add the water and vanilla. Add to the mixture.

In another small bowl, combine the flour, soda, and salt with a whisk.

Add to mixture and stir til combined.

Add the nuts and 1/2 cup chocolate chips.

Drop batter/dough (it is thick) in a 9 x 13 - inch pan in spoonfuls around the pan, leaving a little in the bowl to add at the end where it is needed.

With wet fingers press the batter/dough evenly to cover the bottom of the pan. 

Drop the last of the batter in places where you didn't have enough to spread.

Bake for 20 minutes in oven.

Remove from oven and

immediately sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of chocolate chips over the top.

Allow to melt about a minute or two and then spread with the back of a spoon or knife to "ice" the bars.

Cut into bars. (Great when still warm. I would recommend heating them in the microwave for about 15 seconds if you are going to be eating them cold.)