Wicked Good Peanut Butter Bars

I'm sorry.... I've been sitting here for 5 minutes trying to give an accurate name to these "you-are-so-good-you-are-trouble" peanut butter bars we made recently. I'm pretty disciplined when it comes to watching what I eat, but I lost *all* control with these babies!  Should I open this Pandora's box and unleash its power on you?  Hey -- if I have to suffer, I want company. So here's the recipe.  I dare you to stop at one bar. 

Good luck.

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Makeover Peanut Butter Bars

5 points per bar (including the PB layer AND the frosting. oh yeah.)

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1  3/4 cups reduced-fat creamy peanut butter, divided

1/3 cup butter, softened

1 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups quick-cooking oats

1 teaspoon baking soda

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FROSTING:

4  1/2 cups confectioner's sugar

1/3 cup fat-free milk

1/4 cup baking cocoa

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

1. In a large bowl, cream 1 cup peanut butter, the butter, brown sugar and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in applesauce and vanilla. Combine the flour, oats and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well (batter will be thick).

2.  Spread into a 15x10 inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° F for 18 to 22 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes; spread with remaining peanut butter. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 30 minutes.

3.  In a large bowl, beat frosting ingredients until light and fluffy. Spread over the peanut butter layer. Cut into bars.

 

picture credit: Healthy Cooking magazine, June/July 2009 issue, p. 26

original recipe: Lori Stevens