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Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 67 reviews

Delicious and indulgent Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars with a chewy peanut butter oatmeal cookie base, topped with melted peanut butter and a smooth chocolate frosting. Perfect for peanut butter lovers looking for a sweet treat that combines richness with a satisfying texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Bars

  • 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 & leveled (282g)
  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Frosting

  • ½ cup salted butter, softened (114g)
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 Tablespoons cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a half-sheet baking sheet (13″x18″) with baking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Make the peanut butter cookie dough: In a mixer, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and 1 cup of the peanut butter until creamy and light. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and beat again, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl to fully incorporate.
  3. Add dry ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, baking soda, and salt to the wet mixture. Mix just until combined, being careful not to overmix.
  4. Spread and bake: Spread the peanut butter oatmeal cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking sheet using a spatula. Bake for 15-17 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the center is just barely set. Avoid overbaking to keep bars chewy.
  5. Drizzle melted peanut butter: While the cookie base is still hot, melt the remaining 1 ½ cups of peanut butter in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl for 1 minute. Drizzle the melted peanut butter over the warm bars and spread with a spatula or knife into an even layer. Allow to cool completely so the peanut butter firms up; chilling in the fridge speeds this process.
  6. Prepare chocolate frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
  7. Frost and slice: Spread the chocolate frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Once set, cut into squares and serve.

Notes

  • Storage: Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days. Cover with plastic wrap once frosting has set. Alternatively, refrigerate and serve chilled.
  • Freezing: Freeze bars for 2-3 months. For easier storage, slice bars before freezing and freeze individually for 1 hour before transferring to a freezer-safe container.
  • Variation: Add chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups, Reese’s Pieces, or chopped dry roasted peanuts on top for extra texture and flavor.
  • Gluten-free option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour. Ensure oats are certified gluten-free.
  • Allergy-friendly alternative: Replace peanut butter with cookie butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter if allergic to peanuts.

Keywords: peanut butter bars, peanut butter oatmeal cookie bars, chocolate frosting bars, peanut butter dessert, lunch lady bars

Find it online: https://hannahdelgado.com/lunch-lady-peanut-butter-bars-recipe/