Makeover Peanut Butter Bars

By newbaucher

Lighter in calories and fat, this ooey-gooey dessert is still a family favorite. Try it and you'll see why! Lori Stevens - Riverton, UT

Ingredients

• FROSTING:
• 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
• 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

Details

Servings 36

Preparation

Step 1

In a large bowl, cream 1 cup peanut butter, the 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.



Nutrition 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.