Peanut Butter Chocolate Squares

These are seriously the easiest bars I think I've ever made! I was in a baking mood yesterday, so I made these and another treat (see next blog post) to send to work with the hubby. I did save one for myself and they're delicious!

This recipe comes from one of those recipes books that I always get sucked into buying. You know...the ones that are conveniently placed by the checkout in the grocery store. The name of it is "Cookies From The Heart", a 1998 Gold Medal recipe booklet.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Squares

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened
1/3 cup peanut butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
1 package (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips or 1 cup milk chocolate chips
Peanut Butter Glaze (below)

Heat oven to 350. Grease rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches. Mix sugars, margarine and peanut butter in large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients except chocolate chips and Peanut Butter Glaze. Spread in pan.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately sprinkle with chocolate chips. Let stand about 5 minutes or until chips are softened; carefully spread over baked layer.

Refrigerate uncovered about 30 minutes or until chocolate is firm. Drizzle with Peanut Butter Glaze. Cut into-2-inch squares. Makes 24 squares.

Peanut Butter Glaze
1/3 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1 to 2 tablespoons milk

Mix all ingredients until smooth and thin enough to drizzle.

1 Square: 175 calories (80 calories from fat); 9 g fat (3 g saturated); 10 mg cholesterol; 125 mg sodium; 21 g carbohydrate (1 dietary fiber); 3 g protein.