Oh Henry Bars are a quick dessert with a buttery oatmeal base and topped with a peanut butter chocolate topping. These easy bars are the perfect sweet treat for bake sales, luncheons, potlucks or family gatherings – yum!
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My mom has been making these Oh Henry Bars for as long as I can remember (you'll be able to tell from the photo of the recipe card below haha!).
They were often requested for after school snacks, birthday treats, dessert…..basically any reason us kids could come up with! My brother Pat especially loves these bars – one thing we can certainly agree on!
Why I Love Oh Henry Bars
- Ohhh the nostalgia! A pan of these homemade bars brings me back to my childhood. It's a vintage recipe that's been a family favorite for as long as I can remember!
- Simple ingredients. I always have everything I need to whip up a pan!
- SO tasty! Give them a try and you'll quickly see why they're one of my favorite recipes!
What is an Oh Henry Bar?
The candy bar's package described them as "peanutty caramel fudge bars in milk chocolate." The original Oh Henry! candy bar made by the Williamson Company was sold to Warner-Lamber in 1965 and eventually sold to Nestle in the 1920's.
Nestle sold the rights to Ferrara Candy Co in 2018 and they discontinued production in 2019. The Hershey Company has a similar, but different recipe that sells in Canada. The recipe I've got for you is a bit different from both - these homemade bars have a chewy oatmeal base and a chocolate peanut butter topping.
Are Oh Henry! candy bars still made?
Oh Henry Bars are no longer made and distributed in the United States. However, make a trip to Canada and you can still get your hands on the Hershey's version of the Oh Henry bar.
Oh Henry Bars Ingredients
- Butter - I recommend using salted butter.
- Brown Sugar - Light or dark brown sugar will work great.
- White Corn Syrup - aka Light Corn Syrup
- Oatmeal - Use "quick oats" in this recipe.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- Creamy Peanut Butter
You'll notice that this recipe doesn't have Rice Krispies in them - some people confuse these with Scotcheroos! Though I love both, they're certainly different!
How to Make Oh Henry Bars
These Oh Henry Bars are super easy to make - the hardest part is waiting for them to cool!
First, you'll mix up the bottom layer. Before you start, be sure the butter is softened and at room temperature. Then combine the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and oats. You can use a fork to combine them or mix in a bowl of a stand mixer.
Press the oat mixture into the bottom of a jellyroll pan (if you don't have a jellyroll pan, use a 9x13" pan). Bake for 15 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to brown (the middle will still be very soft). DO NOT overbake!
Once the bars come out of the oven, they'll begin to set up as they cool. Once they've had a chance to set up a bit, you'll melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter until smooth. Pour over the bars and smooth out to an even layer. Let the bars cool, cut into squares and enjoy!!!
How to Store Oh Henry Bars
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you stack them, be sure to put a piece of parchment paper between layers so they don't stick together.
What are some of my other favorite bars to make?
It depends what I'm in the mood for!! If I want something really quick that doesn't require turning the oven on, Scotcheroos are my go-to. When I'm in the mood for something fruity, these Raspberry Bars always hit the spot! And if I had to pick a favorite, these Butterscotch Brickle Bars would be the one!!
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Follow on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook so you never miss a recipe!! And as always, thank you for following along with my blog, making my recipes, liking and sharing on social media and any other way you support Dance Around the Kitchen! -Kelsey
Oh Henry Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter room temperature
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 4 cups oatmeal (quick oats)
- ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a medium sized bowl, use a fork to combine the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and oatmeal.
- Once combined, press into a greased jellyroll* pan (15.5" x 10.5"). *If you don't have a jellyroll pan, you can also use a 9x13 pan - the bars will be thicker and take 5-10 minutes longer in the oven.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until bubbly and a light golden brown color.
- Combine the chocolate chips and peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each round, until smooth.
- Spread the chocolate peanut butter mixture on top.
- Cut into bars and refrigerate.
Nutrition
Oh Henry Bars - My brother Pat's favorite!
Pat and I are just 15 months apart in age and were naturally just one year apart in school. Like any two siblings, you can imagine that we had our fair share of bickering. I mean, I’d like to think we were little angels, but Mom and Dad would call my bluff real quick.
Being so close in age, we also found ourselves spending a lot of time together. We rode bikes together, rode the school bus together, drove to high school together and later found ourselves running into each other at house parties at Iowa State.
Of the four siblings in our family, there are a few different things about Pat that really stand out….
- He's the most injury-prone. He broke his arm when we were debating who could jump furthest off the swing (he won – wonder if he’d say it was worth it ha!). He’s also had countless stitches. And unfortunately, I'm sort of to blame for one incident. He took my bike and told me I could have my bike back “if I got him off the bike.” Well, I got him off the bike…..also got him 15 stitches. Whoops.
- He's decisive & dedicated. (And I'll admit that I'm the most indecisive!) He always seems to know exactly what he wants and is dead set on it. For example, he was a Hawkeye fan growing up and he was determined that going to Iowa State wasn't going to change that. (Yep, he's still a Hawkeye). He also knew he wanted to farm and raise a family. It's pretty cool to see him back on the homestead with his wife and three littles. This decisive-ness also made him super hard to argue with when we were little - he isn't one to give up. ha!
- He's got a need for speed. I think both of my brothers got this trait from my dad....they love their dirt bikes and 4-wheelers! I remember being on a little Honda 50 one day when I was little. Pat on his dirt bike, me on another behind him. (You know, because being the little sister, you want to show that you're just as cool!) I tried so hard to keep up with him, but the soft gravel (yeah, I'll blame it on the gravel ;)) gave me a rough landing. Took me awhile to get back on that dirt bike after that fall!
- He's the "cupid" of the family. If someone were to tell me 10 years ago that Pat would introduce me to my husband, I would’ve laughed. He was cool with me being friends with his friends, but absolutely nothing more (totally understandable). However, one night at the bar, Pat introduced me to Zach and told me “this is my only friend I’ll allow you to date.” Mind if I marry him, too? 😉
- Lover of Krista, the Hawkeyes, peanut clusters, Grandma's Oatmeal Raisin Cookies and Oh Henry bars!
Jacque Avant says
I am considered elderly and a senior but I still keep on keeping on. I have always lover Oh Henry bars and you are right I dont see them all the time either. I do see them in places like service station convenience centers and sometimes in a pharmacy and I always get one. Cant wait to try this receipt. Thank you so much.
Kelsey says
I hope you enjoy them as much as we do, Jacque!!! Thanks for following the blog! 🙂 -Kelsey