Peanut Butter Bars

Ingredients:

• 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)

Directions:

1. 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).
2. 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.
3. In a large bowl, beat frosting ingredients until light and fluffy. Spread over the peanut butter layer. Cut into bars.