Picnics are one of those things that always sound fun when other people talk about them. They even look fun when I see them in the movies or even driving by a local park.
The sun is shining. A gentle breeze blows. The picnic blanket and basket are perfect. The food is delicious. There’s soothing music playing.
But I know the reality (even if I’ve never had a picnic). Bright sunshine will suddenly give way to dark clouds and a downpour. The wind will blow me, the food, the blanket, and everything else in its path. The food will be soggy or poorly made or just generally no delicious. And the only music will be car horns and the too loud stereos that accompany them.
Okay, so maybe I’m being overdramatic (MEEEEEEE? NOOOOOOO! Never!), but I swear, if I had a picnic, I’m sure that’s exactly what would happen.
Your picnic will almost certainly go better.
Especially if you make these Peanut Butter Carob Bars. Seriously, I wanted to grab a spoon and eat straight from the pan while these were piping hot out of the oven. Okay, so I may have done that, but only to take a taste of the corner, for quality assurance purposes.
These start with a chewy, gooey, slightly underbaked, super peanut buttery, oatmeal cookie base that on its own is to die for. But then you spread more peanut butter on top. Don’t be skimpy! And top that with a cooked carob frosting that I could eat with a spoon.
Hot, these are possibly one of the best things ever. Don’t get me wrong, they are still great at room temperature, but do yourself a favor and take a giant, messy taste when these come out of the oven. Then grab the rest for your picnic.
Peanut Butter Carob Bars #SundaySupper
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
Ingredients
Bars
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups quick cooking oats
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 cups packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Frosting
- 1 heaping cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 stick unsalted butter, cubed
- ¼ cup carob powder
- ¼ cup milk (I used almond, use what you love)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9 by 13 inch pan.
- In a medium bowl, stir together flour, oats, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. I did this by hand but a hand or stand mixer would work too. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Beat in the peanut butter and vanilla. Fold in the flour until completely combined.
- Spread batter in an even layer into the prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the bars are setting around the edges but still very soft in the middle.
- Dollop peanut butter on top of the bars. Allow to sit 1-2 minutes, then spread into an even layer.
- Make the frosting. In a medium saucepan, melt butter. Add carob and milk and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat. Stir in the vanilla and then the confectioners’ sugar. Pour the frosting over the peanut butter layer and spread so it evenly coats the bars. Allow to cool before cutting and serving, or throw caution to the wind and dig right in!
Notes
Recipe adapted from Cooking Classy
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
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I think I still have that carob powder I left on another post here about 2 years ago?!! lol! Love these and the carob brooklyn cake you posted a few weeks before. Must try them both Laura! Enjoy your sunday.
These are both awesome recipes! Glad to see you back in blogging mode, Paula! A great weekend to you too 🙂
My mouth is watering looking at these gorgeous treats. Such a great snack/dessert anytime!!
Oh, boy, these sound terrific! Peanut butter and oats is a winning combo!
I love peanut butter everything! I need to try these!
LOL, Laura. You are a city girl! You are right: Wherever you hold a “picnic”, a true banquet will appear with the debut of your scrumptious looking pb carob bars! Yummmm =) And right out of the oven looks to be a bit of Heaven, too!
Oh my deliciousness!
I’ve never actually had a picnic, but my kitchen table looks kind of like a picnic table…so maybe I can just sit in the comfort of my own home and eat these and pretend? I vote yes.
YES! I am with you, Joanne 🙂
You know I lo anything PB!
I’d be willing to brave a picnic for these bars! The extra layer of peanut butter under the frosting sounds fantastic.
me, picnics are ok. I’ve only ever had one reeeally lovely picnic (mine and Michael’s 1 year anniversary) and even that had a couple hiccups.
and these bars are great for pretty much any occasion! loooove the peanut buttery texture
Great combo of the carob and PB! Gotta try
I’m not sure if these would actually make it to a picnic — that spoon and pan thing. 😉 But who says you can’t have a picnic indoors? 😉 Really nice — thanks.
Haha! I’ve never had a “traditional” picnic either, but it wouldn’t be the weather turning on me to ruin the experience – it’d be the bugs! I’d take your bars with me though.
I couldn’t take the bugs either. I feel like every time I step outside, I’m attacked!