Mid Week Munchies ~ Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Bars

The first time my friend Shanelle made these for me, I thought I had was in cookie heaven. Shanelle is a great cook and an even better "cookie chef". When we get together, I always put her on cookie duty. So, this is her recipe:

Peanut Butter Bars:

• 3/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup peanut butter (crunchy or creamy)
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups flour (I live in Utah, 1/4 cup less if you don't live at a high altitude.)
• 2 cups oats

Cream butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Add flour, salt, soda, and oats. Dough will be sticky. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and grease 10 by 15 pan.

Because the dough is sticky, Shanelle taught me to just spread the dough with your fingers. Grease or flour your hands and push the dough evenly around the pan. Cook for 15-18 minutes, until dough in slightly brown in corners.

Measure out 1 cup of smooth peanut butter. (Can substitute crunchy, if preferred.) Place dollops of peanut butter around pan immediately after removing from oven. This allows the peanut butter to warm up and spread easily after about 5 minutes.

Allow dough to completely cool. Place in fridge if necessary.

Frosting:

• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup softened butter
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 tablespoons Hershey's cocoa

Spread frosting on top of cookie dough and peanut butter. Cut and serve with ice-cold milk.