These have the French Buttercream. Delicious!

This is the recipe from elementary school cafeterias in the ’80s (and perhaps before and since!). Luckily, my aunt gave this to me, and I am so glad, because as a kid, I always had school lunch on the days these were served. So, if you have the same lovely memories, you’ll love this one. Incidentally, it’s great for a crowd, since it takes just a little effort, but makes somewhere between 36-48 bars, depending on how small you cut them. Perfect for picnics and after-school gatherings!

Retro Peanut Butter Fingers

1 c. butter
1 c. brown sugar (the original recipe calls for 1 1/2 c., but I don’t think they need to be that sweet)
3/4 c. sugar (again, I’ve cut down from the original 1 c.)
2 large eggs
1 1/2 t. vanilla
1 1/2 t. soda
1/2 t. salt
3 c. flour
3 c. rolled oats
18 oz. creamy peanut butter
Chocolate Frosting (of your choice; I’ve used a simple ganache, chocolate French Buttercream and chocolate American Buttercream. I usually pick the type of frosting according   to where and how I will serve them, and how sturdy I want the frosting to be)

1.Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Line a 18 x 26 x 1″ pan with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, oats, salt and soda together. Set aside.

3. In the bowl of a standing mixer, cream the butter and sugars together for 3-4 minutes, until fluffy, scraping the bowl as needed. Beat in the eggs one at a time, for about thirty seconds each. Add vanilla and beat briefly until combined. Add 9 oz. of the peanut butter, and beat another 1-2 minutes, or until combined.

4. Add the dry ingredients to the mixer, and mix on low speed until combined. Spread the batter (it will be thick) onto the parchment-lined pan.

5. Bake for 10-12 minutes (it will look a little dry), then remove to a wire rack.

6. Once the fingers have cooled, spread with the remaining peanut butter and then frost with your choice of chocolate frosting. Enjoy!