Peanut Butter Butterscotch Bars
I told you I love oatmeal and peanut butter together. I also told you I’m on a “Cassie’s favorite flavor combo” kick. Well, here’s proof. Another peanut butter + oatmeal treat. Only with a bonus: butterscotch!
I was in charge of making a dessert for a family reunion this month. If you don’t live in the Midwest, let me tell you about July in Kansas. It’s H.O.T. The reunion was outside and it wasn’t as bad as it could have been but regardless, I knew I needed a simple yet delicious dessert that wouldn’t be too heavy and that would handle the heat of the summer. I must say that I created a winner! I didn’t have to turn the oven on, they came together in a snap and there are only 6 ingredients…all of which I always have on-hand. These are a must-have for your next summer BBQ!
I was inspired by these no-bake bars from The Kitchenarian a few weeks ago. Hers sounded delicious and this is how I put my twist on her chocolate/peanut butter combination:
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Oatmeal Butterscotch Peanut Butter Bars
Ingredients:
1 stick butter
2 cups peanut butter (creamy or crunchy, your choice)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar
3 cups quick-cooking oatmeal
1 bag (11.5 ounce) butterscotch baking chipsDirections:
Spray a 9×13 glass baking dish with cooking spray. Melt the butter and peanut butter together in a microwave safe bowl until melted and stir to combine. Mix in the powdered sugar and vanilla. Add the oats until a dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. You might need more or less than three cups of oats; add until the dough reaches your desired consistency. Press the mixture into the 9×13 pan and spread evenly.
Pour the butterscotch chips in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir well and continue microwaving in 30 second intervals until fully melted. Pour over the top of the peanut butter/oat crust and spread evenly.
Allow the bars to cool and set. Refrigerate to allow the butterscotch to harden, if desired. (I did refrigerate and liked the consistency that it produced.)
Gently slice into squares. They are pretty rich so I would recommend cutting into 24 small squares but you could certainly cut them larger too.
Cassie's Tip:
There are so many ways that you could adapt this to make it your own: use milk chocolate or white chocolate chips in addition to or instead of the butterscotch; use Rice Krispy’s Cereal instead of oatmeal (or any of your favorite cereals); add chocolate chips to the crust mixture; add peanuts to the crust mixture; sprinkle nuts, chocolate chips, or drizzle caramel or chocolate sauce over the caramel mixture…see what I mean? The possibilities are endless!
Peanut butter and oatmeal is a fantastic combination and with butterscotch too? I might keel right over! These look amazing!
These look awesome!! I haven't been able to bake in almost 2 weeks now, I am going through withdrawal!
So delicious. And I'm a sucker for butterscotch. The little chips rarely even make it IN to a baked good because I tend to munch them 🙂
These do look great. I wish I could say I was going through baking withdrawals, but I'm not. I have an oven in my basement. Perfect for those HOT summer days in the midwest.
Karen
I have a really great idea which involves you basically just sending me one of everything you make. Let me know what you think.
The PB/oatmeal combo is making me drool. Following you on Twitter!
Yummy! These look so delicious!! 🙂
These look GREAT!!! I've been in NC for 8 days. I'm dreading returning to the KS heat. :/
Really great recipe here. Like the versatility of it and that there really is no baking involved. thanks for sharing.
Adding butterscotch to these is just icing on the cake! Or should I say bar? Hehe… corniness aside, these sound super delicious!
Hi Cassie! I am with you! I LOVE the combo of peanut butter and oatmeal. This is such a bonus that you don't have to bake it! And great suggestions for adaptations…but I wouldn't change a thing! : )
WOW looks fantastic!!!!
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Cassie these look soooo, sooooo good! I had a dessert with butterscotch last weekend and I've been on the hunt for more ever since- can't wait to try this!
Oh, Delish! I love, Love, LOVE peanut butter and who wouldn't love this one? Easy and tasty – my kind of recipe!
Yumtastic! I like this one alot. Might take your suggestions to heart and test drive this one. Thanks for sharing.
These sound wonderful!
perfect combo! I love no bake bars!
These look sooo good! Love that you don't have to turn the oven on 🙂
Absolutely delicious looking! Perfect for a hot summer day. I've bookmarked this for summer (down under), thanks!
peanut butter and chocolate is a match made in heaven. Adding butterscotch makes it to die for!
These sound great…they remind me of the no bake cookie recipe on the back of the Hershey's cocoa…except they are made with cocoa and not butterscotch.
Oh my, these look so incredible. I can't wait to try them. I need a dessert for tomorrow night and I think these will fit the bill nicely. And No Bake– my kinda summer treat! Thank you once again!!!
O my goodness this sounds so yummy 🙂
You're done some delicious baking while I've been on vacation!
Yum! I was looking for a recipe that I could make today that wouldn't involve turning on my oven. This is perfect!
wow! butterscotch oatmeal cookies are a favorite of mine, so these look right up my alley! all of your recipes look and sounds incredible!