Introduction

Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars are a delightful treat combining the rich flavors of peanut butter and chocolate in a soft, chewy bar. Perfect for an afternoon snack or a sweet lunchbox surprise, these bars are easy to make and sure to satisfy any peanut butter lover’s craving.

A metal baking tray holds a large square dessert cut into 12 equal squares; the bottom layer is a light golden, crumbly cookie crust with a rough texture, topped with a thick, smooth chocolate frosting layer that is glossy and spread evenly with wave-like swirls. Three pieces are removed from the tray, with one piece resting on a white plate with a brown rim at the top left corner, and another white plate with a brown rim sits empty to the right. A clear glass of water is placed near the top center. A silver spatula with a black handle lies inside the tray beside the removed pieces. The surface beneath everything is a white marbled texture, and a gray and white striped cloth is at the bottom left corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup salted butter, softened (227g)
1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
1 cup packed light brown sugar (200g)
2 ½ cups creamy peanut butter, divided
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour, scooped and leveled (282g)
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup salted butter, softened (114g) – for frosting
3 cups powdered sugar – for frosting
4 tablespoons cocoa powder – for frosting
¼ cup milk – for frosting
2 teaspoons vanilla extract – for frosting

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a half-sheet baking sheet (13″x18″) with baking spray to prepare it for the dough.
Step 2: In a mixer, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and 1 cup of the peanut butter until the mixture is creamy and light in color. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, then beat again, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
Step 3: Add the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
Step 4: Spread the peanut butter oatmeal cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking sheet with a spatula. Bake for 15-17 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and the center is just set. Be careful not to overbake.
Step 5: While the bars are still hot, melt the remaining 1 ½ cups of peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl for about 1 minute. Drizzle the melted peanut butter over the bars and spread it into an even layer with a spatula or knife. Allow the bars to cool completely, or speed up the process by refrigerating them until the peanut butter firms up.
Step 6: To make the frosting, beat the softened butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until smooth. Spread the chocolate frosting evenly over the cooled bars.
Step 7: Once frosted, cut the bars into squares and serve.

Tips & Variations

Use gluten-free baking flour and certified gluten-free oats to make this recipe gluten-free.
If you have a peanut allergy, substitute peanut butter with cookie butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter.
For extra peanut butter chocolate flavor, sprinkle chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups, Reese’s Pieces, or chopped dry roasted peanuts on top before frosting.
Do not overbake the bars; the center should still be slightly soft when you take them out to ensure chewiness.

Storage

Keep the bars covered in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days. Once the frosting has set, you can also cover them with plastic wrap. For longer storage, refrigerate the bars and serve them chilled if you prefer. These bars freeze well for 2-3 months; slice and freeze the bars individually before stacking in a freezer-safe container to maintain the frosting and save space.

How to Serve

A large rectangular dessert bar is shown in a metal baking pan placed on a white marbled surface. It has a thick, crumbly light brown base layer topped with a smooth, glossy medium brown chocolate layer that is evenly spread. The chocolate layer is decorated with a repeating pattern of curved swipes creating a textured design across the whole surface. The bar is pre-cut into 20 rectangular pieces with clear straight cut lines. In the background, there are stacked white bowls, a glass bottle of milk, and stacked white plates blurred out to keep focus on the dessert. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Yes, these bars can be made a day or two in advance and stored at room temperature or in the fridge. They may even taste better after the flavors have melded together.

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Yes, crunchy peanut butter will add a bit of texture to the bars. Use the same quantity and adjust as needed for spreading the melted peanut butter layer on top.