Ingredients:

  • 2 cups Rolled Oats (old-fashioned)
  • 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
  • ¾ cup Creamy Peanut Butter
  • ¾ cup Packed Brown Sugar
  • ½ cup Unsalted Butter, softened
  • ¼ cup Honey or Maple Syrup
  • 1 large Egg
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • ½ teaspoon Salt

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving generous overhangs. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set the dry mix aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl (or using a stand mixer), beat the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, and brown sugar. Beat this for about 2 minutes until it looks lighter in color and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and velvety.
  3. Gradually add the reserved dry mixture into the wet ingredients. Mix only until just combined. Stop immediately to avoid developing gluten. Gently fold in the rolled oats.
  4. Transfer the dough into your prepared pan. Use the back of a spoon or a rubber spatula to press the dough firmly and evenly into the pan corners. Bake for 20 minutes. The edges should look lovely and golden brown, but the center will look slightly soft.
  5. Remove the pan and let the peanut butter oatmeal bars cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes. Once cooled, use the parchment overhangs to lift the whole slab out and slice into 12 perfect squares.