Mema's Peanut Butter Fingers

For those of you NOT from the Southern United States, a "Mema" (pronounced "Mee-Maw") is your grandmother.  Just like granny, nana, etc...  With that said, Mema was probably the nicest person you would have ever known. I can't remember her ever raising her voice to any of us grand kids.  She also taught us many things whenever we would stay with her. We learned how to shuck peas, shuck corn, sew, macrame and all other sorts of things.  Her food was very rustic and simple but it was always good. This particular recipe was a hit with everyone.  The peanut butter fingers always seemed to disappear as soon as she put it out. She made these for as long as I can remember and from what I understand, many years before that.  I have no idea where the recipe came from originally but its been a family tradition for holidays for a very long time.

Be careful not to over bake these or they will be hard as a rock.  Also, don't use crunchy peanut butter in the dough. you won't like the results.  Crunchy in the frosting is pretty good though.  I have added chocolate chips to the mix and it came out pretty good but the original, basic recipe is still the best.  I will add pictures the next time I make these.

Ingredients

1 cup shortening (don't substitute anything else)
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
½ cup + 2 tablespoons peanut butter
1 teaspoon soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
2 cups oats (like Quaker Oats)

Method

Preheat oven to 350
Cream together shortening, sugar and brown sugar.
Add eggs 1 at a time then the peanut butter, soda salt and vanilla and mix until incorporated.
Stir in flour and oats.
Bake in greased 9x13 pan at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until the top barely starts to brown.
Top with Frosting (see below), cut into squares.




Frosting Ingredients

1 cup powdered sugar
½ cup peanut butter
¼ milk, room temperature

Frosting Method

Whisk all ingredients together until smooth