Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Bars

As is my usual, when I have a course going, I bake for my soldiers. The course ended yesterday, but for the last two weeks I have been bringing them treats. One of the things I brought them the first time was these simple, easy but delicious Peanut Butter Oat Bars.This recipe comes from Sunset Cookies, a book I came across in a used book shop some time ago. The classic topping of peanut butter and chocolate gets poured over an oat crust. The combination may seem odd at first, but it works. This really comes together in no time at all and if cut small, feeds a crowd. Or at least a few hungry soldiers. Feel free to garnish with peanuts. 

Peanut Butter Oat Bars

from Sunset Cookies

2/3 cup margarine or butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

2 tsp vanilla

4 cups quick cooking oats

1 package chocolate chips

2/3 cup creamy peanut butter

Preheat the oven to 350. 

In the bowl of your mixer, beat together the margarine and sugar until creamy. Add corn syrup, vanilla and oats, blending thoroughly.

Pat dough into the bottom of a parchment lined 9x13 inch pan. 

Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden. Let cool on a wire rack then cover and chill until cold.
Meanwhile, place chocolate and peanut butter in a saucepan and heat over medium-low until melted and smooth.

Pour over baked crust. Refrigerate until set, then cut into bars.