Description
These Peanut Butter Lunch Lady Cookie Bars are a nostalgic American dessert combining the rich, creamy flavors of peanut butter with chewy oats and a soft, sweet frosting. Perfect for school lunches, bake sales, or potlucks, these bars are easy to make and have a delightful balance of texture and taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Bars
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups quick oats
Frosting
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 to 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, creating a rich base for the cookie bars.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the two large eggs and vanilla extract thoroughly to combine, which helps to bind the ingredients and add flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Combine Dry and Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the bars tender.
- Incorporate Oats: Stir in the quick oats until fully mixed in, adding chewiness and texture to the bars.
- Bake: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch pan. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set, indicating the bars are cooked through.
- Cool Before Frosting: Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool for about 10 minutes to firm up slightly but remain warm enough for the frosting to melt smoothly.
- Prepare Frosting: In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the peanut butter and unsalted butter together, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and whisk in the milk and vanilla extract.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually stir in 2 to 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar until the frosting reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency suitable for topping the bars.
- Frost Bars: Spread the frosting evenly over the slightly warm cookie bars, allowing it to meld with the bars for a creamy finish.
- Final Cooling and Serve: Let the frosting set by cooling completely before slicing into 24 squares. This ensures clean cuts and perfect texture for serving.
Notes
- For added texture, substitute half of the creamy peanut butter in the dough with crunchy peanut butter.
- These bars freeze well, making them convenient for meal prep and future enjoyment.
- Ideal for school lunches, bake sales, and potluck events due to their handheld nature and crowd-pleasing flavor.
