Peanut Butter Bars

Lucky me, I am happy to say that I finally have a few buddies to work out with at the gym.  It's a great motivator to get my butt to the gym, early in the morning.  If I don't own up to my commitment I get some harassment.  If they don't make it to the gym I harass them.  Of course it is all in good fun.  I also love the fact that if we are working out next to each other and talking, it makes the time go by much faster!  Like, boom, forty five minutes gone.  Love that.  Most of the time, if I am working out by myself at the gym, I stare at the clock.  The first ten minutes is good.  I am getting warmed up, getting into my work out.  Then there are the middle doldrums where, if there is nothing good on the tv's, seems to be real long.  If I listen to music instead of the televisions and I hit a good beat, I really get going.  What is it about a good tune that can totally carry you through a work out?  The last ten minutes are pretty good because I know it's the final stretch and the end is near.  

From work outs to food... These peanut butter bars are so delicious.  They are a perfect treat to make with children.  They go great with a nice tall glass of milk. If you eat them as your breakfast, you could actually even get away with eating one.

Peanut Butter Bars

Largely adapted from this recipe at Williams Sonoma

2 cups all-purpose flour 

2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup wheat germ

1 teaspoon baking soda
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
8 ounces (2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter 

2 eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray.

In a medium sized bowl, combine the flour, oats, wheat germ, baking soda and salt and stir with a whisk until well blended. Set aside.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the butter, brown sugar and peanut butter on medium speed until creamy, about 3 minutes. Turn off the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add in eggs and vanilla.  Mix to combine. Fold in dry ingredients to the peanut butter mixture.  Pour into prepared 9 x 13 and place on middle rack of oven.  Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes.  It will be golden.  As it cools it will become firm.