One thing we all probably do more of in the winter months than we do in the summer months is bake. And for good reason, who wants to heat up a kitchen in an already too hot house? Plus, everyone seems to be a lot busier doing outdoor activities in the summer. I found a recipe for no bake cookie bars on www.allrecipes.com that won’t heat up your kitchen OR take a lot of time. See if you enjoy them as much as I do.

No Bake Chocolate Oat Bars

1 cup butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter

Grease a 9×9 inch square pan.

Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and vanilla. Mix in the oats. Cook over low heat 2 to 3 minutes, or until ingredients are well blended. Press half of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Reserve the other half for topping.

Meanwhile, melt chocolate chips and peanut butter in a small heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth. Pour the chocolate mixture over the crust in the pan and spread evenly with a knife.

Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate layer, pressing in gently. Cover and refrigerate 2-3 hours or overnight. Bring to room temperature before cutting into bars.

Place sliced cookie bars in an Emerson Creek Pottery cookie jar and watch them disappear!