No-Bake Chocolate Oat Bars

These are easy-peasy and quick to make. The story behind it is maybe longer. I was having a LuLaRoe party Sunday and was looking for some desserts to make. I found one that was similar to this but had a peanut butter cream cheese filling with a chocolate top.

So I went to the store and got the chocolate chips and cream cheese. Then couldn't find the recipe again. I didn't save it. Googled the ingredients. Nothing looked like the one I found so decided to do this one. Now I have two packages of cream cheese that I need to figure out what to do with.

AllRecipes.com seems to be my go-to mostly. This had a 4.5 star and her comment was "I baked about 100 dozen cookies for the holidays and these were everyone's favorite." Hmm, honestly, I didn't think they were "that" good, but my friends liked them. And if you want dessert without baking, this is a good choice.

I also made Rhubarb Shortbread Bars-if you like rhubarb. I have tons still. I added more rhubarb than what was called for and although they were very flavorful, they were a bit softer than I was expecting. Maybe the extra rhubarb was not a good idea.

I made, for the third dessert, Rice Crispy Treats. I like mine plain without any extras put in and they are a favorite with everyone.

INGREDIENTS:

1 c. butter 3 c. quick cooking oats

½ c. packed brown sugar 1 c. semisweet chocolate chips

1 tsp vanilla ½ c. peanut butter

DIRECTIONS:

Grease a 9 x 9 square pan

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and vanilla. Mix in oats. Cook over low heat two to three minutes, or until ingredients are well blended. Press half of mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Reserve the other half for topping.

Meanwhile, melt chocolate chips and peanut butter in a small heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth. Pour the chocolate mixture over the crust in the pan, and spread evenly with a knife or the back of the spoon.

Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate layer, pressing in gently. Cover and refrigerate two to three hours or overnight. Bring to room temperature before cutting into bars.

MY NOTES:

If I make them again, I will double the chocolate and peanut butter. For me, it didn't seem like the middle filling was very thick. Also, I will add coconut and walnuts to make them even chewier. And there is a lot of healthy stuff in it...kind of. :-)

ZUCCHINI TIME – Does anyone have any unusual recipes using zucchini? I have the chocolate cake one and breads, but that's about it.

ENJOY!