Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Fudge Bars

When snowed in, we test recipes. Flipping through a Cook’s Illustrated magazine featuring Chocolate Desserts, the Oatmeal Fudge Bars jumped out at us. While the bars have three decadent layers, we figured why not add another using our favorite spread, peanut butter.

Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Fudge Bars

Crust and Topping
1 c quick oats
1 c packed light brown sugar
3/4 c flour
1/4 t baking powder
1/4 t baking soda
1/8 t salt
8 T unsalted butter, melted and cooled

1 c smooth peanut butter

Filling
1/4 c flour
1/4 c packed light brown sugar
2 t instant espresso powder
1/4 t salt
1 1/2 c semisweet chocolate chips
2 T unsalted butter
1 large egg

Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

For the crust and topping, whisk together the oats, brown sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in melted butter until combined. Reserve 3/4 c oat mixture for topping.

Press in the remaining oat mixture into the prepared pan. Bake until crust is slightly golden, about 8 minutes. Let cool for 1 hour. Soften the peanut butter in the microwave for 20 seconds then spread an even layer over the base and let cool for another 15 minutes.

For the filling, whisk together the flour, sugar, instant espresso and salt in a medium bowl. Place chocolate chips and butter in another bowl and microwave, stirring often, until chocolate is melted, about 1 minute. Stir in the egg then the flour mixture until incorporated.
Spread filling evenly over the peanut butter covered crust. Sprinkle with the reserved oat mixture. Bake the bars at 325 degrees Fahrenheit until an inserted toothpick comes out clean, about 25-30 minutes.

Let bars cool for at least 2 hours, cut and serve!