peanut butter oatmeal bars

the goods:

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons brown sugar, divided

1 and 1/2 cups (3 sticks) plus 2 tablespoons butter, divided

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup creamy peanut butter

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups flour

2 cups old fashioned oats

1 bag (11 ounces) milk chocolate chips

In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons brown sugar over medium-low heat. When melted, stir in the sweetened condensed milk and continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens slightly, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla. To make the crust, combine the flour, oatmeal, and remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar in a large bowl. Melt the remaining 1 and 1/2 cups butter and stir into the oatmeal mixture. Press half the oatmeal mixture into the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips over the hot oatmeal crust, spread the peanut butter mixture over the chocolate chips, then crumble the remaining oatmeal crust over the top. Return to oven and continue baking for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely before cutting into squares. Serve with milk!