There were very few positives of being surrounded by brown and gold all through your teen years, but Monroe Central students wore it with pride. Actually, there might only be one real positive, and it’s manna from heaven: Bear Bars. This brown and gold pure sugar treat kept the school high on energy and was the highlight of lunch time. Bear Bar days brought in kids with money filled pockets. We saved our weekend ice cream shop paychecks for those bear bars and even to this day, it’s hard to have extra money and no Bear Bars to buy… until today.

After college, I coached two years at MC. Dark browns and metallic golds were the only way to create somewhat attractive uniforms.

I recently saw a recipe floating around social media. Could this be the real deal? I had my doubts but figured I’d try it out. Well, the only thing that was disappointing was my self control, because I ate 4 in a row. It was like being 16 again, but better, because I have a whole tray of Bear Bars.

They are delicious. It’s like a peanut butter cookie bar meets a buckeye (chocolate peanut butter fudge).  Recipe below!

MONROE CENTRAL GOLDEN BEAR BARS

For the Cookie:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup flour
1 cup oats
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Mix sugars and butter, then add remaining ingredients. Pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes (mine were perfect at 22).

Peanut Butter Icing
2 cups powered sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
3-4 tbsp of Milk

Chocolate Icing
3 Tablespoons coco
1 1/2 Cup powdered Sugar
3 Tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2-4 Tablespoons milk

Peanut Butter icing should be thicker, like peanut butter. The chocolate should have a thinner consistency, thinner than the peanut butter but thicker than brownie batter. Add more powdered sugar for a thicker frosting.

After cookie bar cools, spread peanut butter icing on top of the entire pan. Spread on chocolate or create a fun design. Both are delicious. The Van Elks are chocolate lovers, so it was important to have chocolate in every bite. Store the bear bars in an air tight container to keep the bars from getting too dry. The bars are amazing the next day, but be sure to keep them sealed.

Enjoy!