by Kelly J. Larson

AUSTIN — When I was a kid in Oklahoma, the school cafeteria food was so good. The lunch ladies served decent meals that included hot, homemade rolls each day plus once a week — the most incredible oatmeal peanut butter bars. That was my favorite day. Everyone (in my age range) knows exactly what I’m talking about.

After a few decades of missing them, I finally have the recipe that my elementary self dreamed of and hope to pass this on to all who long for those good ol’ cookie bars, or anyone who likes oatmeal, peanut butter and chocolate and hasn’t tried them yet.

• 1 cup butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1-1/4 cups brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups dried oatmeal (quick 1-minute style or old fashioned)
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 2 cups flour

Mix everything together in a stand mixer, then press into the bottom of a large baking sheet (18.5 inches x 13 inches x 1 inch) that has been lightly sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray. Bake for 20 minutes in a preheated 350 F degrees oven.

The cookie base cooks up high along the edges and will need to be flattened down with an offset spreader while it’s hot and just out of the oven.

Notice how the cooker edges have been flattened down? This will make each piece be more uniform when adding the peanut butter and frosting layers.

Middle layer:

• 1 cup peanut butter

Be sure to press down the baked cookie base edges that are higher from the rest of the pan while cooling using an offset spreader. Drop spoons full of peanut butter randomly across top of baked cookie base. Spread evenly using an offset spreader.

• 1/4 cup butter, softened to room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup milk (plus a few more drops if needed)

Mix frosting ingredients together until smooth. Drop spoons full of frosting carefully on top of middle layer, then spread evenly across the top with an offset spatula. Cut into squares and serve.

Makes: 32 bars, 319 calories each