Irresistible Oatmeal Peanut Butter Bars

Ingredients

For the Bars:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 cups dry oatmeal (both quick-cooking and old-fashioned work well)

For the Chocolate Frosting:

• 1 2/3 cups sugar
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 6 tablespoons milk
• 2/3 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

Preparing the Bars:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream together the butter, shortening, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth.
3. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and peanut butter, mixing well.
4. Incorporate the dry ingredients: flour, salt, baking soda, and oatmeal. Mix until well combined.
5. Spread the mixture evenly in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan.
6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Allow to cool completely before frosting.

Making the Chocolate Frosting:

1. Combine the sugar, butter, and milk in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Bring to a boil and let it boil for 30 seconds.
3. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips until the mixture is smooth.
4. Pour the frosting over the cooled oatmeal bars.
5. Let the frosting set before cutting into bars.

Nutritional Benefits

Oatmeal:

Oatmeal is renowned for its heart-healthy properties. It is rich in soluble fiber, which helps reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. According to the American Heart Association, consuming 1.5 cups of oatmeal daily can lower cholesterol by 5-8% (source).

Peanut Butter:

Peanut butter is a good source of protein and healthy fats. It also contains essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium. Studies have shown that moderate consumption of peanut butter can help reduce the risk of heart disease (source).

Chocolate:

Dark chocolate, in particular, is rich in antioxidants known as flavonoids, which can improve heart health by lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow to the brain and heart. A study published in the journal "Heart" found that moderate chocolate consumption is associated with a lower risk of heart disease (source).

Fun Facts

• Fiber Intake: The average American consumes only about 16 grams of fiber per day, while the recommended daily intake is 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men (source).
• Peanut Butter Popularity: Americans consume around 700 million pounds of peanut butter annually, which is enough to coat the floor of the Grand Canyon (source).

Conclusion

These Oatmeal Peanut Butter Bars are not just a treat for your taste buds but also a boost for your health. With the combined benefits of oatmeal, peanut butter, and chocolate, they make for a perfect snack or dessert. Enjoy these bars with the knowledge that you're indulging in something both delicious and nutritious!

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