Autumn Fun: A Favorite Family Recipe

There’s something about fall that makes me want to share a recipe. I bet fall makes you want to cook or bake a little more, too. After all, with the sizzling temps of summer passed, it’s just a little easier to think about heating up the kitchen.

Even though I don’t post a lot of recipes here, I think something yummy can also refresh our spirits :) Past autumn seasons have found me sharing favorite family recipes for pumpkin bread, my Grandma Hoy’s homemade crescent rolls, crock pot chili, and potato chowder. All of these are part of my or my daughters’ heritage now, part of our baking roots, if you will.

Today I have another family favorite for you. My mom started making her now-famous Peanut Butter Bars around twenty years ago, and they immediately scored as favorites with our whole clan.

My initial attempt at making Peanut Butter Bars didn’t go too well so I’ve been content to let them be one of those treats I enjoy when I visit Mom and Dad. Our daughter Kelli has taken up the Peanut Butter Bar mantle as well so now I’m really set. I’ve got a generation on either side of me making sure I get to enjoy these yummy peanut butter and chocolate concoctions from time to time. It’s kind of fun to have a treat to look forward to that I don’t make here at home! :)

Hope you enjoy these as much as we do!

Peanut Butter Bars

1 c. flour
½ c. sugar
½ c. brown sugar
½ t. soda
¼ t. salt
1 c. oats
½ c. peanut butter
½ c. butter
1 egg

Combine dry ingredients then add peanut butter and butter. Press into 13×9 pan. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes (check earlier so as not to overbake). Sprinkle with 8 oz chocolate chips. Let stand 5 minutes (until melted). Spread. Then drizzle with peanut butter topping. If you have the will power, let them cool before eating :)

Topping:

¼ c. peanut butter
2-4 T. milk
Powdered sugar (as much as you need, maybe 1 cup)

What are some of your family favorites? As we enjoy our favorites this fall, let’s whisper a prayer of thanks for our families!

“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” Ephesians 1:16

*Flickr photo by Muffet

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Comments

  1. Laura Drumb says

    Oh, yum, Cheryl! These sound heavenly!!! I can’t wait to try them, thanks for sharing. ANYTHING with PB & Chocolate in it has my heart!!!

  2. You’re welcome, Laura. Enjoy!

  3. Oh great, now I want some of these! :)

    I have made them a few times in the past, but I could never get the “frosting” to swirl on top as pretty as Grandma does it. Mine always looks like rows and clumps of frosting.

  4. Kristin, I want some, too :) You’ll have to ask Grandma for some tips on the frosting next time you see her!

  5. Yum! I can eat just about anything with PB in/on it!!

  6. Cheryl, before I attempt this recipe, will you tell us what went wrong when you made them? I’d like to learn from you before wasting all the ingredients and the time. 8-) Thanks!

  7. It’s been a long time ago, Jana, but if I remember right, mine turned out too dry. Don’t know if I just baked them too long (my oven is tricky) or perhaps got some of the ingredients measured wrong. I’d say be careful not to overbake them. I just gave up because I knew I could get them at my mom’s :)

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