If you grew up in Utah, Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars were basically a rite of passage. Thick, chewy, and slathered in chocolate frosting . My version is even better, and yes, this one earned its spot in my cookbook for a reason.

A stack of peanut butter bars. - 1

Reasons You’re Gonna Be Obsessed

  • No weird ingredients: You probably already have everything you need in your pantry, so you can make these now! No grocery run needed!
  • Texture perfection: Soft, chewy base + creamy peanut butter + fudgy chocolate = actual heaven. Trust me, they are to die for!
  • Classic, but better: These peanut butter bars are SO GOOD, I literally inhale them like a raccoon in a dumpster. It’s one of my favorites!

Ingredients Needed

Overhead shot of labeled peanut butter bar ingredients. - 2
  • Peanut butter: Creamy peanut butter is best, but if you prefer a little more crunch in your bars, try it with the crunchy peanut butter .
  • Rolled oats: If you do not have rolled oats, graham cracker crumbs will also work. The bars will not be as full but will have the same concept.
Overhead shot of labeled peanut butter and frosting ingredients. - 3
  • Frosting: Make these even easier and buy store bought to spread over the peanut butter filling.

How to Make Peanut Butter Bars

This nostalgic lunch lady bar recipe only takes about 35 minutes! They are dangerously good, and your whole family will devour them! Here’s how you make them!

Bars

  1. Cream together: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, then cream together the brown sugar, white sugar, and peanut butter.
  2. Blend: Add the eggs, salt, baking soda, rolled oats, and flour. Mix to combine.
  3. Bake: Spread the dough into a 15 X 9 X 2-inch baking sheet pan. Bake for 15 minutes and cool completely before frosting.
Someone mixing butter, brown sugar, and peanut butter in a bowl with a hand mixer. - 4

Peanut Butter/Frosting

  1. Spread on the peanut butter layer : After cooling, spread 1 cup of peanut butter on top of the bars. Soften the peanut butter in the microwave for 30 seconds so it spreads easier.
  2. Melt the butter/ Add the cocoa powder: For the frosting, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the cocoa powder and whisk to combine.
  3. Whisk the frosting ingredients: Remove from the heat and add 3 ½ cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 6 tablespoons milk. Whisk together until silky and smooth.
  4. Frost: Pour the frosting over the peanut butter layer and spread it evenly on top. Allow the frosting to set for a few minutes before cutting the peanut butter bars and enjoying!
Peanut butter spread and layered onto the cookie bar. - 5

Alyssa’s Pro Tip

Line the Pan: Line your pan with foil or parchment paper for easy removal. Just lift the whole thing out to slice clean, even bars like a boss.

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Ingredients1x2x3x

Peanut Butter Bars

  • ▢ 1 cup brown sugar
  • ▢ 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ▢ 1 cup unsalted butter
  • ▢ 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • ▢ 2 large eggs
  • ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
  • ▢ 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ▢ 2 cups rolled oats
  • ▢ 2 cups all-purpose flour

Peanut Butter & Frosting

  • ▢ ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ▢ 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ▢ 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ▢ 6 tablespoons milk
  • ▢ 1 cup creamy peanut butter for spreading

Instructions

Peanut Butter Bars

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large bowl, cream together the 1 cup brown sugar , 1 cup granulated sugar , 1 cup unsalted butter , and 1 cup creamy peanut butter using an electric hand mixer.
  • Add in 2 large eggs , 1 teaspoon salt , 1 teaspoon baking soda , 2 cups rolled oats , and 2 cups all-purpose flour . Mix until combined.
  • Spread the mixture into a 15 X 9 X 2-inch baking sheet pan. Bake for 15 minutes, then cool completely before frosting.

Peanut Butter & Frosting

  • After cooling, spread 1 cup creamy peanut butter on top of the bars. Soften the peanut butter in the microwave for 30 seconds so it spreads easier.
  • For the frosting, melt ½ cup unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder and whisk to combine.
  • Remove from the heat and add 3 ½ cups powdered sugar , 1 teaspoon vanilla extract , and 6 tablespoons milk . Whisk together until really well until the frosting is silky and smooth.
  • Pour the frosting over the peanut butter layer and spread it evenly on top. Allow the frosting to set for a few minutes before cutting and enjoying!

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

A stack of peanut butter bars on a gray plate/ - 6

More Peanut Butter Desserts

If you love peanut butter, then you are surely going to love these other peanut butter recipes, like this yummy Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie , these easy Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies , and these new Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies !

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Peanut Butter Bars

Ingredients

Peanut Butter Bars

  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

Peanut Butter & Frosting

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 6 tablespoons milk
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter for spreading

Instructions

Peanut Butter Bars

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large bowl, cream together the 1 cup brown sugar , 1 cup granulated sugar , 1 cup unsalted butter , and 1 cup creamy peanut butter using an electric hand mixer.
  • Add in 2 large eggs , 1 teaspoon salt , 1 teaspoon baking soda , 2 cups rolled oats , and 2 cups all-purpose flour . Mix until combined.
  • Spread the mixture into a 15 X 9 X 2-inch baking sheet pan. Bake for 15 minutes, then cool completely before frosting.

Peanut Butter & Frosting

  • After cooling, spread 1 cup creamy peanut butter on top of the bars. Soften the peanut butter in the microwave for 30 seconds so it spreads easier.
  • For the frosting, melt ½ cup unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder and whisk to combine.
  • Remove from the heat and add 3 ½ cups powdered sugar , 1 teaspoon vanilla extract , and 6 tablespoons milk . Whisk together until really well until the frosting is silky and smooth.
  • Pour the frosting over the peanut butter layer and spread it evenly on top. Allow the frosting to set for a few minutes before cutting and enjoying!

Video

Notes

Nutrition

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Peanut Butter Bars https://therecipecritic.com/peanut-butter-bars/