Pssst! I’m sharing one of my all-time favorite dessert bars today…Peanut Butter Fingers. You need these in your life.
My Grandma Marge passed this recipe on to my mom, my mom shared it with me and now it’s your turn to try this delicious dessert recipe!
My grandma often brought Peanut Butter Fingers with her to their “Pairables” gatherings. The Pairables was a small group of church friends that my grandparents began meeting with when they were newlyweds. They would meet the first Saturday of every month, but they also did various activities together throughout the year like concerts, plays, and camping trips. My Grandpa Jim named the group the “Pairables,” which was a play on the word parables from the Bible. My mom has shared with me fond memories of growing up within this loving, tight knit community of family friends.
My grandparents stayed close with the Pairables all the way until my grandma suffered a major stroke in July 1993. They weren’t able to continue meeting regularly with the Pairables after that, but my mom tells me some of the group is still alive today and they continue to meet. How amazing is that?
So, when I make these deliciously gooey, peanut butter, chocolate bars, I think about my grandma baking a batch of Peanut Butter Fingers before meeting up with their friends. I think about growing old together, not only with your spouse, but also within a small community of deeply committed friends. And it makes my sentimental heart skip a few beats.
Ok, now you know the back story. It’s time for the recipe!
Trust me, you need to make these for your friends and family. They will thank you. The bottom layer is a chewy, oatmeal(y) cookie layer and the topping is a heavenly combination of chocolate and peanut butter goodness. Don’t try to calculate the calories on these guys, just tell yourself #YOLO and take a bite.
Peanut Butter Fingers
Bottom layer:
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar, packed
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 c. peanut butter
1/2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
1/2 t. vanilla
1 c. flour
1 c. rolled oats
Topping:
6 oz. pkg. chocolate chips (dark chocolate chips are my personal favorite, but semi-sweet is what the original recipe calls for)
Peanut Butter Glaze:
1/2 c. sifted powdered sugar
1/4 c. peanut butter
2-4 T. evaporated milk
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350° then grease a 9 x 13 baking dish.
Cream together the butter and sugars, well. Blend in the egg, peanut butter, baking soda, salt, and vanilla. (Pro tip: spray your measuring cup with oil before measuring out the peanut butter)
Next, stir in the flour and rolled oats. Spread mixture into the baking dish. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. The edges should be golden and the center cooked through (or almost cooked through…that would be my preference).
When done, sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly across the cookie layer. Let stand 5 minutes, so they start to melt. Then spread the chocolate chips evenly, covering the cookie bar. Finish the bars off by drizzling the peanut butter glaze generously over top of the chocolate layer.
*My mom’s note: If doubling the recipe for a crowd, use 3 eggs and bake in a large 17.25 x 11.5 cookie sheet with sides.
Hurry to your kitchen and go bake these delicious bars! Then, leave a comment letting me know what you think. Maybe they’ll become a family tradition for you, too!
Peg Theobald 