O’ Henry Bars

O’ Henry Bars- Chewy peanut butter bars made with old fashion oats and finished off with a dreamy chocolate topping. Much like the classic candy bar!

I can’t really recall eating many O’Henry candy bars in my time, but, I probably did give one a try at some point. I mean, O’Henry candy bars consist of peanut butter, caramel, a chewy fudge base and a chocolate topping! So, I would likely say yes, I have eaten one. But, honestly, it’s been a long time.

These bars are a great way to satisfy your O’ Henry candy bar craving or if you are just craving peanut butter and chocolate. Either way, you will not be disapointened.

Ingredients List:

• Old fashion oats
• Creamy peanut butter
• Corn syrup
• Brown sugar
• Vanilla + Salt
• Milk chocolate chips
• Whipping cream
• Coarse sea salt, optional

Can Quick Oats Be Used Instead? Yes., if you don’t have any of the old fashion variety on hand, quick oats will do the job.

Peanut Butter: I do recommend using a “regular” peanut butter for these, instead of a natural version. I do love a natural version peanut butter, but, they do contain more oil. If you do opt to use a natural peanut butter, you may need to add a bit more oats to absorb the extra oil.

Coarse Sea Salt: While this does add an extra deliciousness to these bars, it is optional. They are still really good without it. I did a few with it and without it. Both = yummy.

Corn Syrup: Both light and dark can be used.

How to Make O’ Henry Bars:

• Preheat your oven and line a 9 x 13 pan with foil. Then, spray the foil with non stick cooking spray. This helps quite a bit with clean up!
• Next, in a saucepan, melt the peanut butter, brown sugar and corn syrup. Over medium heat, continue with this until everything is fully melted and smooth. Keep a good eye on it, you don’t want it to burn.
• Once fully melted, remove it from the heat. Then, stir in vanilla salt.
• In a bowl, add in oats. Pour the melted peanut butter mixture over the oats and start mixing. A wooden spoon works great for this. Keep mixing until all the oats are coated.
• Spread the oats in your prepared pan. The oats will be sticky. Whatever tool you use, whether it be a silicone spatula, butter knife, an offset spatula or even your hand, spray it with non stick cooking spray. It will make this process a whole bunch easier.
• Bake your base until the edges are brown and remove it from the oven.
• In a clean saucepan, melt the chocolate, corn syrup and cream for the topping. Continue over medium heat until it’s all melted and smooth. Then, spread on top of the base.
• If desired, this is when you top with coarse sea salt.
• Place them in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours to set.
• When you are cutting the bars, you should, again, spray your knife/tool with non stick cooking spray beforehand.

Love Oats? Give these a Try:

• Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins
• Florentine Cookies
• Banana Oat Bread
• Fruit and Cereal Bars
• No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
• Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Pumpkin Bread

linking up and weekend potluck