peanut butter and chocolate snack bars

Peanut butter and chocolate could be the best combination in the dessert world. The whole salty/sweet thing is out of control - give me a salty pretzel dipped in chocolate any day.

I was going to call this creation "granola bars" but it doesn't really fit because they're more like a cookie bar. So I went with "snack bar" because I am so creative... not.

The best part about these snack bars - they are made with wheat flour, whole oats, antioxidant-rich unsweetened cocoa powder and milled flax seed. Tons of good fat and grains, but the only thing you taste is creamy peanut butter and chocolate. Win/win.

Start by beating butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until creamy. I used 3 tablespoons of butter, which is not much at all. If you want to cut it back even further, use 2 tablespoons of butter and a tablespoon of unsweetened plain applesauce.

Beat in one egg, vanilla, peanut butter and cocoa powder.

Just give me this bowl and a spoon. Raise your hand if you think the baking process should stop here?!

Okay I guess we should move on to the healthy stuff...

In another bowl, combine flour, wheat flour, oats, flax seed, baking soda and salt. You could also add wheat germ or any other kind of healthy crap that makes you feel good.

Combine the wet and dry ingredients together. The dough will be very stiff so just keep working at it until all the flour mixture is moistened.

Then add chocolate chips! I used 70% chocolate because I love dark chocolate and it's better for you, which is awesome. I wish heavy whipping cream had antioxidants in it.

It comes out of the oven looking totally irresistible.

They are wonderful warm and gooey out of the oven. Loaded with good stuff too, so you don't have to feel bad about eating them.

I hope you try it!

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Peanut Butter and Chocolate Snack Bars

3 tablespoons softened butter
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons milled flax seed
1 cup whole oats
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup dark chocolate chips (semi-sweet)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugars on medium speed until creamy, 4-5 minutes. Add egg, vanilla and peanut butter. Beat until combined. Add cocoa powder and beat on low speed to prevent cocoa powder flying in your face!

In a separate bowl, combined flour, wheat flour, flax seed, oats, baking soda and salt. Mix together. Combine dry ingredients into wet ingredients and stir until moistened. You may need to use your hands to get it all combined. Add chocolate chips and combine. Pour mixture into a greased 8 inch square baking dish. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until gooey and delicious. Serve immediately, or cut into bars and store in the pantry.