Springtime Oatmeal Bars

If you love to bake yet have your hands full with kids, appointments, or work, it is easier to make "bar cookies" versus cookies.  With bars or brownies, you put all the dough or batter into a baking pan and don't have to worry about individual baking times and cooling in between pan uses.

I came across this recipe in my recipe box--I haven't made these for years!  I added in some pastel-colored candies for an Easter look.

Oatmeal Bars

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 eggs or 1/2 cup pasteurized egg product

1tsp. Vanilla

1/2 cup chunky peanut butter

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1 1/2 cup uncooked oatmeal

Peanut Butter chips

Semi-sweet chocolate chips

Peanut butter M & M's

Blend butter, eggs, vanilla together.  Add peanut butter and blend.  Stir in flour, salt, baking soda, then add oatmeal.

Stir in chips.  Spoon  mixture into a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish.  

Place M & M's in a sandwich bag and seal.  Take a sturdy glass or rolling pin and "smack" the candies so they are in uneven pieces.  Press or sprinkle the candies on top of the dough.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until done when center is checked with butter knife or toothpick.  Allow to cool, then cut into squares (you can decide how big lol).