Recipe Round-Up: Gooey Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

WARNING: This recipe is in no way, shape or form part of the STUPID INTERNATIONAL FITNESS CHALLENGE OF DEATH. In fact, it may very well kill you or put you into a diabetic coma.

Oh, but it is worth it, my friends.

I made this recipe last week when I had a party to go to and it was a roaring success. Roaring, I tell you. And thankfully there were a few leftovers for me to take home.

It is super simple so don't be scared that you need three different bowls. Trust me, it is so worth it.

And, just keep in mind that you may need to bust out P90X this week. I did and my armpits are sore. Who knew?

So, let's get this party started. Here is what you need:

Three mixing bowls, oatmeal, butter, brown sugar, chocolate chips, peanut butter, sweetened condensed milk, baking powder, baking soda and flour.

SIDE NOTE: Pay no attention to the fact that half of those ingredients are not in the picture. Apparently I jumped the gun.

Okay, it's time to bust out bowl #1. First, throw in some oatmeal...

...and some brown sugar...

...a little flour...

...now add some baking soda.

And then add some baking powder.

SIDE NOTE: Those are two totally different ingredients, just so you know.

Now here is where P90X is going to come in handy.

Throw a couple sticks in and do 10 jumping jacks.

And use what the good Lord gave you to mix it all up.

That's the goal: crumbs of heavenly goodness.

Now here is where bowl #2 comes in: Take some of the crumb mixture and put it in a separate bowl.

See? Not hard at all.

And in bowl #2, add some chocolate chips and eat the rest.

Mix that up and set it aside.

Now, in bowl #1, add an egg...

...and mix together. This should look a lot like cookie dough.

Again, do 10 jumping jacks.

Next, grab a baking dish and pour the crumb mixture into the pan and start pressing.

Ta-da! Just like that. It will be a little sticky, but fear not, it will turn out great!

And make sure you press the crumbs up on the side of the pan because your world is about to rocked and those sides play a crucial role.

Next, pop it into the oven for 15 minutes.

In the meantime...

Bust out bowl #3 and pour in the nectar of the gods: sweetened condensed milk.

That's right, pour it all in.

And do 20 crunches.

Try not to stick your face in it while it is being poured. It reeks havoc on your hair.

Next up - the world's perfect food: peanut butter.

Hello, my darling.

And plop it into the bowl. And stir.

And grab a spoon and take a taste because this very well could change your life forever.

FOR-E-VER.

Now, once the oatmeal crust has baked for 15 minutes, pull it out of the oven. It will only be partially baked.

And it will look like one, giant, gooey oatmeal cookie.

You could stop right here but self-control will have its rewards in the end. I promise.

Now, start pouring the milk/peanut butter mixture all over the oatmeal crust.

Keep pouring...

Keep pouring...

Until you have scraped every last drop of goodness out of the bowl.

But wait...there's more.

Remember bowl #2?

That's right. Start sprinkling.

Sprinkle until the top is covered and feel free to eat the rest. Pop that sucker into the oven for a few more minutes.

And go run a mile.

And there you have it: Gooey Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars.

Now, go grab that ladle and dig in.

And let me know if you need CPR after your workout. It's the least I can do.

Happy Friday!

Here is the recipe:

2 cups oatmeal (instant or old fashioned)

1 3/4 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 cup flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 cup butter

1 egg

1 1/2 cup chocolate chips

1 14oz. can of sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup creamy peanut butter

OPTIONAL: coconut, peanuts

Directions:

For crumb mixture, in a large mixing bowl, combine oatmeal, brown sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda and butter. Use a pastry blender or your hands and mix together until crumbs are formed.

For topping, mix 1 3/4 cup of mixture with chocolate chips in separate bowl. Set aside.

For crust, mix egg into remaining crumb mixture. Press into an ungreased 9x13 pan and bake in oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

For filling, mix sweetened condensed milk with peanut butter until well combined. Pour filling evenly over partially baked crust. Sprinkle topping over filling and bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned on edges. Cool and cut into bars (or eat with a ladle).