Sweet and Salty Peanut Butter Oat Bars

1 cup Margarine
1/4 cup Molasses
1/2 cup Peanut Butter
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1 cup Rolled Oats
1/2 cup Peanuts, chopped
1 cup Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda

chocolate topping: 
4 oz Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
2 tablespoons Margarine
1/2 cup Peanuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 350.

In a 4 quart saucepan, heat one cup of margarine, molasses and peanut butter over low heat until melted and combined.  Stir in brown sugar and vanilla.  Remove from heat.  Stir in oats, 1/2 cup chopped peanuts, flour, baking powder and baking soda.

Spray a 13 x 8 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.  Spread cookie dough evenly in dish.  Bake for 20 minutes.  

Meanwhile, in a double boiler, melt chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons margarine.  Spread over cookies, still in the pan.  Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of chopped peanuts.  Let cool completely, at least 1 hour.  Cut into 2 x 1 inch bars.

Yield 4 dozen cookies.

Kim Hammond