Craftsbury Cookbook Recipe: Penny Bars

As you now know, the Craftsbury Outdoor Center “cookbook crew,” comprised of GRP athletes and kitchen staff, is working on a revised and updated version of the beloved COC cookbook. In order to do this, we need your input! On a roughly monthly basis, we are sharing a recipe with you. You may have previously met this recipe in the Dining Hall. We are seeking your questions, comments, and stories about the recipes. Questions and comments to enhance the recipe for clarity and stories to include in the final cookbook.

So far, we have shared Morning Glory Muffins and Tandoori Chicken with you.

This month, we present Penny Bars.

Penny Bars are a delicious combination of chocolate and peanut. One may even dub them Reese’s Bars, though I’m sure that is already trademarked. They’re a perfect dessert or snack bar, or post-ski treat! Let us know what you think!

Yield: 16 small bars, 9 big bars. In a 8X8 pan

Ingredients :

  • Bars:

  • 1/2 c shortening

  • 1/2 c white sugar

  • 3 T brown sugar

  • 1 egg

  • 1/3 c peanut butter

  • 1 t baking soda

  • 1/4 t salt

  • 1 t vanilla

  • 1 c flour

  • 1 c oats

  • Topping:

  • 2 c chocolate chips

  • 1/2 c powdered sugar

  • 1/3 c peanut butter

  • 2-4 T milk

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  2. In a mixer or by hand, cream shortening. Add brown and white sugar.

  3. Blend in eggs, peanut butter, baking soda, salt, and vanilla.

  4. Stir in flour and oats.

  5. Spread into pan.

  6. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

  7. Sprinkle 2 cups of chocolate chips evenly over cooked bars, spreading as they melt.

  8. In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, peanut butter, and milk. You want a spreadable consistency.

  9. Dribble topping over slightly cooled bars. Cut into squares.