Written By

Renee Dalton

Date

Aug 21, 2023

Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars

Irresistible Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars Recipe

Remember those delicious treats you enjoyed in school cafeterias? I have a recipe that brings back that nostalgic flavor to your kitchen! These Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars are an absolute delight – with a soft, chewy peanut butter cookie base, a creamy peanut butter center, and a luscious chocolate buttercream topping. Get ready to indulge in the best peanut butter bars you’ve ever tasted! I should know I was one of those Lunch Ladies who made them!

 

 

Here is what you need:

 

 

Tools:

 

Ingredients:

Peanut Butter Bars:

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 3/4 cup peanut butter
  • 2 cups old-fashioned quick oats
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Frosting:

  • ½ cup melted butter
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 3 cups powdered sugar

 

Instructions:

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Creaming the Base: In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream the softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and creamy.

Adding Flavor: Mix in the vanilla extract, eggs, water, and peanut butter until well combined.

Combining Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the old-fashioned quick oats, flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until the dough is well combined and forms a cohesive mixture.

Baking the Base: Spread the dough evenly onto the baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.

Letting it Set: Allow the bars to cool completely.

Preparing the Frosting: While the bars are cooling, use a mixer to blend the melted butter, milk, vanilla, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar until the frosting is smooth and creamy (around five minutes).

Adding the Finishing Touch: Once the bars have cooled, spread the chocolate buttercream frosting over the top.

Cut and Serve: Cut the bars into your desired sizes and shapes. Serve and enjoy these delectable Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars!

Notes:

  • These bars are made in a half-sheet pan, and you can cut them into as many bars as you need.
  • I like a bigger bar, so I typically cut a pan of these cookie bars into 24 rectangular pieces, but you could easily cut them into 48 for a smaller serving.

 

In Conclusion:

There’s something truly magical about recreating childhood flavors, and these Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars are the perfect example. With their irresistible combination of chewy peanut butter cookie base, creamy center, and rich chocolate buttercream, these bars are a crowd-pleaser for all ages. So, gather your ingredients, follow the simple steps, and treat yourself to a delightful nostalgic taste that will bring back cherished memories. Enjoy!

 

This Is Renee “Doing what I Love”

 

Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars

Renee Dalton
Remember those delicious treats you enjoyed in school cafeterias? I have a recipe that brings back that nostalgic flavor to your kitchen! These Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars are an absolute delight – with a soft, chewy peanut butter cookie base, a creamy peanut butter center, and a luscious chocolate buttercream topping. Get ready to indulge in the best peanut butter bars you've ever tasted! I should know I was one of those Lunch Ladies that made them!
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Bar Cookie, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 459 kcal

Ingredients
  

Peanut Butter Bars:

  • 1 cup butter, melted
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 tbsp water
  • ¾ cup peanut butter
  • 2 cups old-fashioned quick oats
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt

Frosting:

  • ½ cup softened butter
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 3 cups powdered sugar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Creaming the Base: In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream the softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and creamy.
  • Adding Flavor: Mix in the vanilla extract, eggs, water, and peanut butter until well combined.
  • Combining Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the old-fashioned quick oats, flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until the dough is well combined and forms a cohesive mixture.
  • Baking the Base: Spread the dough evenly onto the baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
  • Letting it Set: Allow the bars to cool completely.
  • Preparing the Frosting: While the bars are cooling, use a hand mixer to blend the melted butter, milk, vanilla, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar until the frosting is smooth and creamy (around five minutes).
  • Adding the Finishing Touch: Once the bars have cooled, spread the chocolate buttercream frosting over the top.
  • Cut and Serve: Cut the bars into your desired sizes and shapes. Serve and enjoy these delectable Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars!

Notes

  • These bars are made in a half-sheet pan, and you can cut them into as many bars as you need.
  • I like a bigger bar, so I typically cut a pan of these cookie bars into 24 rectangular pieces, but you could easily cut them into 48 for a smaller serving.
 

Renee Dalton

Related Posts

Best Ever Dutch Apple Pie

Best Ever Dutch Apple Pie with Irresistible Crumble Topping: There's something undeniably comforting about the aroma of a freshly baked apple pie wafting through the kitchen. Today, I'm sharing a recipe that takes the classic apple pie to new heights – The Best Ever...

Jeweled Fruit Salad

Grandma Carroll's Jeweled Fruit Salad Recipe for Your Thanksgiving Table Regarding Thanksgiving, the table is a canvas for various flavors and dishes that bring families together. Today, I'm excited to share a cherished recipe that has been a staple on our...

Join Our Newsletter

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This