Makeover Peanut Butter Bars Recipe

Makeover Peanut Butter Bars Recipe Makeover Peanut Butter Bars Recipe photo by Taste of Home Rating 5

Lighter in calories and fat, these ooey-gooey peanut butter bars are still family favorites. Try them and you'll see why! —Lori Stevens, Riverton, Utah

This recipe is:

Healthy

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Makeover Peanut Butter Bars Recipe
  • Prep: 20 min. + chilling Bake: 20 min. + cooling
  • Yield: 36 Servings
20 20 40

Ingredients

  • 1-3/4 cups reduced-fat creamy peanut butter, divided
  • 1/3 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups quick-cooking oats
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • FROSTING:
  • 4-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1/3 cup fat-free milk
  • 1/4 cup baking cocoa
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

  • 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 applesauce and vanilla. Combine the flour, oats and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well (batter will be thick).
  • Spread into a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes; spread with remaining peanut butter. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • In a large bowl, beat frosting ingredients until light and fluffy. Spread over the peanut butter layer. Cut into bars. Yield: 3 dozen.

Nutritional Facts 1 bar equals 237 calories, 8 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 20 mg cholesterol, 165 mg sodium, 38 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 5 g protein.

Originally published as Makeover Peanut Butter Bars in Healthy Cooking June/July 2009, p26

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Reviews for Makeover Peanut Butter Bars

Makeover Peanut Butter Bars Recipe

Makeover Peanut Butter Bars

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(1-9) of 9 reviews

Reviewed on Apr. 08, 2013 by katieleigh3508

I thought these bars were very dry and found ways to give the rest of the pan away. I only had old-fashioned oats in the cupboard, and that may have made the difference. I'll just enjoy smaller portions of the real stuff in the future.

Reviewed on Jan. 05, 2013 by mountainbaby

I love these for breakfast or snacking with a glass of milk. I put 6 oz. chocolate chips on the bars as soon as they come from the oven, let them melt, and spread. I no longer use the frosting. Either way, they're delicious!

Reviewed on Jul. 17, 2011 by choc52

These were great! The texture from the oats is nice. I've made them a couple of times and needed to add a couple more tablespoons of milk to make the icing the consistency I needed to spread easily. I also probably substituted Smart Balance for the butter (original in the tub, not light). They also freeze well. Thanks for sharing!

Reviewed on May. 01, 2011 by N3

These are fantastic! I probably wouldn't go so far as to call it a "healthy" recipe (hahaha)...but, my mom and I did a couple of things to further improve the stats. We used 1 c all-purpose flour and 1 c whole wheat flour in the batter. Then I also used maybe only a 1/3 c of the peanut butter on the top of the bars - just enough for a thin layer. My mom and daughter halved the frosting recipe and it all came together just right...imho. Definitely a keeper of a recipe!

Reviewed on Apr. 26, 2011 by pamelag21

Tasted great

Reviewed on Apr. 26, 2011 by fowa

i made it from a previous issue I got . It is great

Reviewed on May. 22, 2010 by maria37

I loved this recipe! These bars are very very good and I will make these again.

Reviewed on Jun. 02, 2009 by artgirl1804

i made these and they are delicious!

I used my homemade peanut butter and only used about 3/4 a cup in the batter and none on the top of the bars and they are plently rich!

also not sure if i should store them in the fridge though.

Reviewed on May. 22, 2009 by gardenia64

Should this be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator?

 
 

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