Peanut Butter Halloween Bars

We had leftover Halloween candy. At our house, we buy the Costco mini chocolate bar mix. I made up some Peanut Butter Halloween Bars to use up most of it. (Well, I used the Snickers, the Grands, the KitKats, the 3 Musketeers, the Milky Ways, and the last M&Ms. We still have some other types of  candy left.)

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled for a couple of minutes
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 3 large eggs
• 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract 
• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (125g) whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup quick oatmeal (dry)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups leftover Halloween candy, cut into small pieces

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°.
2. Line a 9x13 inch pan with parchment paper, making an overhang on the sides so you can later lift the finished bars out.
   (I first sprayed the pan with some cooking spray to get the parchment to stick.)
3. In a stand mixer bowl, mix together the melted butter and sugars until combined. 
4. Mix in the peanut butter, then add the eggs and vanilla. 
5. Mix in thoroughly until it is all well combined.
6. Stir the flour, baking powder, salt, and oatmeal with the paddle attachment.
   (The batter will be very thick - it’s really a cookie dough.)
7. Fold in the candy, reserving some to sprinkle on top.
8. Press the dough evenly into pan, then sprinkle the reserved candy pieces on top.
9. Bake for 30 minutes, then test the blondies with a toothpick. 
   (If toothpick in the center of the pan comes out with wet batter, the bars are not done. If there are only a just wet or with moist crumbs, the bars are done.  "Doneness" may depend on if you prefer edge brownies or center brownies.)
10. If not done, check every 2 minutes until there are just moist crumbs. 
11. When done, remove from the oven cool in pan on a wire rack. 
12. Cool completely before cutting into squares. Lift out bars with parchment paper, and cut into small pieces.
    (They are very rich!)

Carole's Notes:

We both liked these bars - chocolate and peanut butter. I like the crunchy edges, Doug likes the softer centers.

The recipe is lightly adapted from https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2016/12/12/happy-5-years-with-peanut-butter-blondies/