Peanut Butter Dream Bars

These bars are perfect to nibble on with a cup of coffee or tea.  They're undeniably rich, so you may or may not be able to finish eating a bar in one sitting.  The inspiration behind these bars comes from Potbelly's Dream Bars.  Potbelly is a really great sandwich chain, and whenever I frequent airports and see one, I have to stop and get a Wreck Sandwich and a cup of broccoli cheddar soup.  Next to the cash register at Potbelly they have a display of cookies and bars, one of which is their Dream Bar.

Dream Bars are rich, chocolatey oatmeal bars with sweet caramel.  This recipe is my adaptation of Dream Bars; I added chunky peanut butter, white chocolate chips and dark chocolate chips.  I really love the crumbly, buttery texture of these.  For the caramel, I used the caramel bits that are already unwrapped - much easier than unwrapping fifty caramels.

Peanut Butter Dream Bars

10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup old fashioned oatmeal
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 bag of unwrapped caramel bits
5 tablespoons evaporated milk
Sprinkle of sea salt.

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line a 13x9-inch baking dish with foil; coat foil with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, using a mixer on medium speed, beat together butter, peanut butter and brown sugar until creamy.  Beat in oatmeal, baking powder and flour until just combined.  Stir in chocolate chips and white chocolate chips until combined.  Pat half of the mixture into bottom of prepared pan.  Bake 10 minutes.

In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt caramel bits and evaporated milk, stirring frequently.  Pour caramel on top of bars.  Sprinkle remaining dough evenly on top.  Bake 15-20 minutes more or until golden brown.  Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt.  Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Makes 12 big bars