No Bake Chocolate Oat Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups rolled oats
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• ¾ cup chunky peanut butter

Directions:

1. Line an 8-inch-by-8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, and set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved.
3. Add the rolled oats, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt to the saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly, for 4 to 5 minutes, until the oats are toasted and fragrant.
4. Pour half of the oat mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly, pressing down gently to form a firm layer.
5. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the dark chocolate chips and chunky peanut butter. Heat the mixture in the microwave in 40-second increments, stirring well between each increment, until melted and smooth.
6. Pour about ⅘ of the chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the pressed oats in the baking dish, reserving about ¼ cup for drizzling later. Spread it out evenly over the oats.
7. Top the chocolate layer with the remaining oats, spreading them out evenly.
8. Drizzle the remaining chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the oats.
9. Refrigerate the bars for at least 4 hours, or until set.
10. Once set, remove the bars from the baking dish using the parchment paper overhang, and cut into squares or bars.
11. Serve and enjoy these delicious no-bake chocolate oat bars!

These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Enjoy!