Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
The absolutely best peanut butter bar you will ever eat! The chewy peanut butter bar, a thin layer of creamy peanut butter, and topped off with stovetop fudge frosting. Your friends and family will RAVE when you make these for them!
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert/Cookie Bar
Serves: 30-36 bars
Ingredients
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 2 cups creamy peanut butter, divided
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1½ tsp baking soda
  • 2½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2½ cup quick oats
  • FUDGE FROSTING:
  • ½ cup butter
  • ¼ cup cocoa
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Lightly grease a large 13x18 cookie sheet pan.
  3. In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, combine butter, 1 cup of peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Cream together for 2 minutes.
  4. Add eggs and vanilla. Continue mixing until well combined, about 30-45 seconds.
  5. Next, add flour, oatmeal, salt, and baking soda. Mix until well combined. The dough will be thick. Press/spread it evenly into the greased pan.
  6. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 18-22 minutes. Do not overbake. The bars will be barely starting to brown on the edges when they are done. You can test the center with a toothpick if desired. Remember, the bars will continue to cook a little as they cool in the pan. In my oven, it takes exactly 19 minutes.
  7. Let the bars cool.
  8. When the bars are cool, use a spoon to evenly distribute dollops of peanut butter over the cooled bars. Spread the dollops to create a thin layer of peanut butter over the bars. This takes about 1 cup of peanut butter.
  9. FUDGE FROSTING:
  10. Make the fudge frosting by combining the butter, cocoa powder, and milk in a 1-quart saucepan. Bring it to a boil and boil for 20-30 seconds. Take off the heat.
  11. Add three cups of powdered sugar and 1 tsp of vanilla extract. Use a whisk or hand mixer to mix until there are no lumps and the frosting is smooth. Immediately pour it over the bars and carefully spread it to cover the bars without mixing in the peanut butter, if possible. You want them to be separate layers. (Tip: When you pour the frosting on, don't do it all in one spot. Try to cover as much of the bars as possible, so you have less spreading to do.)
  12. Let bars cool completely and the frosting set up before cutting.
  13. Serve and Enjoy!
Recipe by Real Life Dinner at https://reallifedinner.com/lunch-lady-peanut-butter-bars/