Description
Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars are a nostalgic American dessert featuring a buttery, peanut buttery base topped with creamy peanut butter and a smooth layer of melted semi-sweet chocolate. These chewy, richly flavored bars blend oats and peanut butter for a perfect balance of texture and taste, making them a beloved school cafeteria treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups quick oats
Topping Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter (for topping)
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, 1 cup peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes a few minutes using an electric mixer.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time followed by the vanilla extract, mixing well after each addition to ensure even incorporation.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and quick oats to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt throughout the mixture.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until fully combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can make the bars tough.
- Spread Dough and Bake: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch pan, smoothing the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Slightly and Add Peanut Butter Layer: Remove from the oven and let cool for 5–10 minutes. While still warm, gently spread the remaining 1 ½ cups of creamy peanut butter evenly over the bars to form a smooth layer. Allow the bars to cool completely.
- Melt Chocolate: Melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly between intervals until smooth and fully melted to prevent burning.
- Top with Chocolate and Set: Spread the melted chocolate evenly over the peanut butter layer. Let the bars set at room temperature or refrigerate until the chocolate is firm before slicing into 24 bars for serving.
Notes
- For clean, distinct layers, allow the bars to cool completely before adding the melted chocolate.
- For a creative twist, swirl the peanut butter and chocolate layers together for a marbled effect.
- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
