These two bar recipes are two of my favorites. They are both fairly easy to make. If your kids like peanut butter, the Peanut Butter Bars recipe is almost sure to be a hit with them.

Peanut Butter Bars

A favorite from when I was a kid. The promise of these for dessert always helped persuade me to eat more of my dinner! Might work with your kids too!

• 2 cups crushed graham crackers

• 1 cup melted butter

• 1 cup peanut butter

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• 6 ounces chocolate chips

Mix together all of the above ingredients except the chocolate chips. Press the mixture into a 9 x 13 inch greased pan. Let it set in the refrigerator to cool. Melt the chocolate chips and spread over the top for frosting. Cut into bars. Store in the refrigerator to help them keep longer.

Carmel Bars

This was always a favorite around our house. Gooey caramel with chocolate and the crunch of nuts on top. And justified as somewhat healthy, after all, there is oatmeal in it. Something with oatmeal can’t be all bad for you. It was always a hit at bake sales, potlucks, and picnics. Of course, that was provided it made it out of the house. With five kids in the house, one of us usually managed to at least pick at it before it ever got to it’s destination.

• 32 caramels

• 3 tablespoons cream (heavy whipping cream works best)

• 3 tablespoons butter

Combine caramels, cream, and butter over very low heat. You can also melt them in the microwave. Heat just until melted. (This is important because it tends to burn otherwise.)

• 1/2 cup butter

• 1 cup flour

• 1 cup oatmeal (quick cooking kind)

• 3/4 cup brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 6 ounces chocolate chips

• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt the 1/2 cup butter in the microwave. In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Mix well. Put 3/4 of the mixture into a 9 x 13 inch pan. Pat down until it makes a firm crust. Bake crust for 10 minutes in the oven. Take out of the oven and pour the caramel sauce over the crust. Sprinkle the chocolate chips, pecans, and the remaining crumbs over the top. Bake for 15 minutes longer. Let it cool and cut into bars.