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No-Bake Chocolate Oat Lunchroom Bars
Rachel Kim

No-Bake Chocolate Oat Lunchroom Bars

These are the dense refrigerator bars that tasted like cocoa, peanut butter and oats rather than a baked cookie. An 8-by-8-inch home pan yields 16 squares, enough to keep the texture thick without a commercial sheet. Boil the cocoa mixture for one full minute so the bars set, then press firmly before chilling.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 16
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of kosher salt
  • 3 cups quick-cooking oats

Method
 

  1. Line an 8-by-8-inch pan with parchment, leaving overhang on two sides.
  2. Combine butter, sugar, cocoa and milk in a saucepan and bring to a full rolling boil.
  3. Boil for exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly, then remove from heat.
  4. Stir in peanut butter, vanilla and salt until smooth, then fold in oats.
  5. Press the warm mixture firmly and evenly into the pan.
  6. Refrigerate for 2 hours, lift out by the parchment and cut into 16 squares.