Peanut Butter Bars

This might be my husband's favorite dessert.  He loves all things peanut butter and this recipe comes from his sweet grandma.  Everything from the bar to the frosting is loaded with peanut butter.  You'll love it!

Bar:

1/4 cup shortening

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1 egg

1 tablespoon milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup quick oats

 

Frosting:

1/3 cup creamy peanut butter

4 1/2 cups powdered sugar, divided

1/4 cup milk

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Beat shortening and peanut butter until blended.  Add brown sugar and baking soda and incorporate completely.  Add egg, milk, and vanilla.  Add flour and oats, blend completely.  Add dough to an 8x8x2 ungreased baking dish.  Bake for 15-18 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Frosting:

In a large bowl beat peanut butter and 2 cups of powdered sugar until creamy.  Slowly beat in milk and vanilla.  Add remaining 2 1/2 cups of powdered sugar.  If needed, add small amounts of extra milk until icing becomes slightly stuff, but spreadable. 

**This frosting recipe makes a lot of frosting.  I normally double my bar ingredients and bake in a 9x13 dish and use all of the frosting.  If you choose to make the 8x8x2 size, freeze half of frosting for later use.