No Bake Peanut Butter and Chocolate Oatmeal Bars

A major issue with baking in China is that having an oven is a luxury. Only Western-style decorated apartments have ovens. Chinese use open flames and steamers instead of an oven. It seems like "caramelized" - a flavor achieved from high temperatures or broiling - is not characteristic of Chinese cuisine, a flavor maybe found in barbecue street skewers.

As it goes, eventually a potluck in Shanghai gets organized and somehow something has to be made. Buying something from the store is not an option. Baking something is not an option considering 1) a current lack of an oven at my disposal, 2) a lack of proper baking tools, and 3) funds. The easiest, cheapest thing to concoct must be found.

After a quick internet search, I decided to make something involving chocolate, peanut butter, and oatmeal (for the "health benefit"). I came across a few recipes and decided to sample the ones requiring the least ingredients (ie expending the least amount of funds). Butter is easy to find, but vanilla extract is extraordinarily expensive and only found in stores carrying Western goods. These no bake bars mean that I do not have to bake them in an oven. I just need a microwave - referred to as an oven on poorly informed real estate agency sites - and a form.

The recipe is really easy to follow and execute. The only part where a mistake can be made is heating the chocolate in the microwave for too long or an extended period causing it to burn and transfigure into this gloppy mess. The flavor is reminiscent of American baking and the chocolate peanut butter mixture hints toward a melted peanut butter cup. It is more sweet and a tad salty, lacking that fine bitter chocolate taste of a quality chocolate dessert containing little dairy and higher cacao content.

No Bake Peanut Butter and Chocolate Oatmeal Bars (adapted)
3/4 cup butter
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup dark chocolate chips / chunks
1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky)

Melt butter in a large sauce pan over low heat. Stir in brown sugar, vanilla, and oats. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Press half of mixture in to the bottom of a buttered 8 x 8 dish.


In a microwave safe bowl, microwave the chocolate and peanut butter, stirring every 30 seconds until melted and blended. Pour the chocolate peanut butter mixture over the crust, reserving a couple of spoonfuls to drizzle over the top.


Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate and peanut butter, pressing gently to form a crust. Drizzle the remaining chocolate and peanut butter over the top of the bars.

Refrigerate for 3 hours before cutting and serving.