Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars
 
Prep time
Active time
Total time
 
Author:
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
  • Cookie Base:
  • 1.5 (3 sticks) cup real butter, at room temperature
  • 1.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 cups brown sugar
  • 2.25 cups peanut butter, chunky or smooth
  • 4 or 5 eggs
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2.25 teaspoons baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoons table salt
  • 4.5 cups all purpose flour
  • 4.5 cups quick oats
  • ¾ cup peanut butter
  • Fudge Frosting:
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • ½ cup cocoa powder
  • ¼ teaspoon table salt
  • ⅓ cup butter, softened
  • ⅓ cup boiling water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a rimmed 18 X 13-inch cookie sheet with parchment paper or spray the cookie sheet lightly with non-stick spray and set aside.
  2. Cream butter and sugars for 3-5 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add peanut butter and vanilla and beat until combined. Add eggs, one at a time and beat between each addition.
  3. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt and mix. Add flour mixture to dough. Beat to combine. Add oats and mix until incorporated.
  4. Press dough into prepared pan into a flat layer. Bake for about 15 minutes, but up to 20. I’ve noticed that baking time can greatly differ depending on elevation, product brands (especially the peanut butter) etc. The center should be puffed and set, but still soft. Do not over-bake.
  5. Drizzle ¾ cups melted (just nuke it in the microwave) peanut butter over crust. Let cool before making chocolate frosting.
  6. Make chocolate frosting (do this when you're ready to frost as the frosting will harden as it sits so you'll want to spread frosting right away): whisk together powdered sugar, cocoa powder and salt. Add butter (make sure it’s soft!), boiling water, and vanilla. Beat until smooth and glossy.
  7. Let cool (or leave slightly warm) and cut into squares and serve.
Recipe by The Amiable Cooks at https://theamiablecooks.com/lunch-lady-peanut-butter-bars/