Peanut Butter Lunch Lady Cookie Bars are a nostalgic and delicious treat that’s soft, chewy, and packed with peanut butter flavor. They are inspired by the old-fashioned lunch lady desserts but with a twist, offering a simple and crowd-pleasing dessert that’s perfect for parties, potlucks, or just a sweet snack at home.
Here’s a recipe to make these irresistible Peanut Butter Lunch Lady Cookie Bars:
Ingredients:
For the Bars:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky, depending on your preference)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
For the Frosting:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar (adjust for desired consistency)
- 2-3 tablespoons milk (adjust for desired consistency)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cookie Bars:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars.
2. Make the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, peanut butter, and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy (about 3-5 minutes).
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Add Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in the rolled oats until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
4. Bake the Bars:
- Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking dish. Use a spatula or your hands to smooth the top.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs. Be careful not to overbake, as you want these bars to be soft and chewy.
- Once done, remove from the oven and allow the cookie bars to cool in the pan on a wire rack.
5. Make the Frosting:
- While the bars are cooling, make the peanut butter frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened butter and peanut butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until you reach a thick frosting consistency.
- Add the milk one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired frosting consistency (smooth and spreadable).
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
6. Frost the Bars:
- Once the cookie bars have cooled completely, spread the peanut butter frosting evenly over the top using a spatula.
7. Serve:
- Slice the bars into squares and serve! They can be enjoyed right away or stored for later.
Tips:
- Texture: If you prefer a chewier texture, try using chunky peanut butter instead of creamy, or mix in chocolate chips or additional chopped peanuts for more texture.
- Storage: Store the frosted bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Freezing: You can freeze the bars before frosting for up to 3 months. Simply thaw them before frosting and serving.
These Peanut Butter Lunch Lady Cookie Bars are perfect for anyone who loves the rich, nutty flavor of peanut butter combined with soft, chewy cookie bars. With the creamy peanut butter frosting on top, these bars are an irresistible treat