When I first stumbled on this chocolate frosted peanut butter bar recipe, it was called Oh Henry! which is based on a candy bar of the same name. That bar has caramel and whole peanuts though, so I really didn't see the similarities. Since we had another "H" name in our midst, we renamed these bars after Hamish and they are now a party staple!
These bars hit all the right notes - chocolate and peanut butter are a super classic combo and ingredients we always have on hand.
You can work these around several different allergies. They are naturally gluten-free, just make sure your oats are certified GF if that's important to ya. You can use whatever chocolate chips you have on hand. I just wouldn't swap out the butter though. You really need that to hold them together so this won't be a dairy-free recipe.
If you're feeling sassy you could always press some m&ms or other fun candy into the top of the bars.
I've never tried other nut butters, but if you give it a go let me know in the comments.
This recipe makes a half sheet pan, so you'll have plenty to go around. They also freeze wonderfully, just make sure to cut them first. Since you've lined the pan with parchment you can cut it up to use it between layers of bars in your container, too.
Oh Hamish Bars
Ingredients
Bars
- 2 cups butter
- 3 cups brown sugar*
- 7 cups oats gluten-free if necessary
Topping
- 2 cups peanut butter
- 4 cups chocolate chips
Instructions
Bars
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter.
- Stir in sugar and oats to combine.
- Spread the mixture into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Let cool to room temp.
Topping
- In a saucepan, melt the peanut butter and chocolate together until smooth.
- Spread over the top of the cooled bars and let set.
- Once set, cut into desired size bars and freeze or serve.
Notes
- *If you're wanting to use honey, replace the brown sugar with 1 ½ cups honey. You can also use 3 cups of white sugar plus 1 Tablespoon molasses.
- You can halve the recipe and make it in a greased 9x13 pan.
- These are fine to store on the counter unless your house is warm.
Nutrition
More Party Favorites
Amanda White
These worked amazingly with sunbutter!
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Oh lovely!!
Allison
Goodness, these are tasty! I made these as a last-minute item to bring to a gathering and everyone made sure to mention how much they enjoyed them! We are a PB+chocolate loving household and the oats add the perfect balance. Yum!
Jill
These were a HUGE hit with my three boys and 7 cousins. I was was asked for the recipe by all three aunties. Party favorite for sure ?.
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That's so cool to hear everyone at your house loves it as much as our family!
Becky
I was happy to find a quick easy yummy treat that feeds my large family a fun snack.
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Yay!!
Mary
I can't get over how amazing these are! Made them with sunbutter. Wow!
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Ohhhh I'll be those tasted lovely.
Pam
VERY sweet and fell apart. Ok, I should have read comments and cooked oatmeal longer, and it would have stayed together better. Could I cut sugar in half and maybe decrease butter and still have oats stick together? These were sooooo sweet, I can only eat one bite, and I definitely have a sweet tooth! I was hoping for a sweet treat for the kids, with oats. Only my husband will eat them-- he has the ultimate sweet tooth. Lol
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Kate's always stay together. My chocolate and bar separate sometimes, but I just a vegan butter substitute.
Wensy
I'm making these and after 15 minutes in the oven they seem to be very soft like batter soft. Do they harden up or do they need more time?
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They do harden up. They can often look a little soupy.
Julie Majors
I prefer to bake these until they're golden around the edges and bubbling in the center about 20 minutes but depends on your oven and cookware. Longer time ensures they are more stable when cooled and don't fall apart. If undercooked they are more chewy/ fall apart easier.
Heather
What type of chocolate chips do you use? Semi-sweet or milk chocolate?
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Semi-sweet but they would work with Milk Chocolate is that was your favourite.
Lisa
Could you replace the butter with an oil like avocado or olive?
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You could replace the butter. I did with vegan butter. It didn't stay together as well but was as delicious.
Julie Majors
I love this recipe. The texture reminds me of Rice Krispie bars (without the processed rice, which is often highly sprayed with chemicals) It's easy, comes together quick and I keep these staples on hand. I've halved, quartered and made the recipe as written. My one request would be for the metric units -- esp for peanut butter by weight. I do most baking by weight to reduce extra dishes. I always have to google the weight of peanut butter for this recipe.
Kylie Shadwick-Young
Every time I share these I am asked for the recipe!
Courtney S
Every time I make a batch, I double it to bring to a family who has just had a baby or is in need of a meal. Everyone loves them!
Rachel Cornelsen
This recipe is so good and easy to feed a crowd or just to have on and for hungry kids! I have made this gluten and dairy free very easily. Gluten free oats; for the butte portion vegan butter, crisco or tenderflake works well, and then just dairy free chip chips! It freezes well too, so that’s a bonus!
Brooke
These are so tasty! I even make them without the PB in the topping and it’s just like a candy bar.
Mary
I use only half the chocolate peanut topping but the kids absolutely love these and they are so easy
Hailey
Cannot make these often because I will gorge myself. The perfect treat and makes a large enough batch to share.
Heidi Lanning
So good and easy!!!
Amy West
These are so delicious! The perfect treat to pull from the freezer when you need a sweet or company comes by and you want to bless then with a yummy treat!
Stephanie Hawkins
So easy and so delicious!!
Amber
This sweet recipe is a hit at our house, and comes together quickly with ingredients we always have on hand. We love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, and enjoy this with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot coffee. Typically we halve the recipe and make it in a 9x13, which is good for our family size, but I have made it as listed for a gathering.
Sarah
I truly didnt think that I could love a recipe as much as your Jam bars until I tried these bad boys!! So rich and sweet, they have become a family favourite 🙂
Jill
This was delicious and so easy to make! Definitely a favorite!
Ainsley
Best freezer stash goodie! Love cutting these up tiny and then having them tucked away in the freezer for when a sweet treat is needed.