Peanut Butter BarsIngredients

1 ¾ cups reduced-fat creamy peanut butter, divided

⅓ cup butter, softened

1 cup packed brown sugar

¾ cup sugar

2 eggs

½ cup unsweetened applesauce

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups quick-cooking oats

1 tsp baking soda

4 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar (for frosting)

⅓ cup fat-free milk (for frosting)

¼ cup baking cocoa (for frosting)

¼ cup butter, softened (for frosting)

1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)

½ tsp salt (for frosting)

Peanut Butter Bars

Peanut Butter BarsInstructions

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

Spread into a 15 x 10 x1-inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 18 to 22 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes; spread with the remaining peanut butter. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 30 minutes.

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