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Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars

Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars


  • Total Time: 46 min
  • Yield: 18 1x

Description

Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars I do not know about you, but the moment I bite into one of these bars, I am right back in the school cafeteria line, tray in hand, hoping for the corner piece with the most frosting. These Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars are the real deal: a soft, chewy peanut butter cookie base, a creamy peanut butter middle layer, and a thick chocolate buttercream frosting on top.


Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Base
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups creamy peanut butter, divided in half
1 cup granulated white sugar
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats

Frosting
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 pinch salt
¼ cup heavy whipping cream


Instructions

1-Preheat the oven to 350°F: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a jelly roll pan (12×17) and set aside.
2-In the bowl of a stand mixer,: In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the butter and 1 cup of peanut butter until fluffy and well blended. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
3-Add granulated sugar and brown sugar to: Add granulated sugar and brown sugar to the butter mixture and beat well (1 to 2 minutes).
4-Add in the eggs and vanilla extract: Add in the eggs and vanilla extract and beat on medium-high for another 2 to 3 minutes, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl intermittently to ensure even mixing.
5-In a separate bowl, stir together the: In a separate bowl, stir together the salt, baking soda, flour, and oats.
6-Add the flour mixture to the creamed: Add the flour mixture to the creamed ingredients and beat just until combined (do not overmix).
7-Use a spatula or greased hands to: Use a spatula or greased hands to pat the cookie dough into the prepared sheet pan.
8-Bake for 16 minutes, until the center: Bake for 16 minutes, until the center is set and the edges of the cookie are golden brown. Remove from the oven.
9-In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the remaining: In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the remaining 1 cup of peanut butter for 30 seconds to 1 minute until it is mostly melted and easily spreadable. Pour the melted peanut butter over the baked cookies and spread to the edges. Allow the cookies to cool completely. Once room temperature, you can place the pan into the refrigerator to help the peanut butter set again and make it easier to frost.
10-To make the frosting, beat the butter: To make the frosting, beat the butter with an electric mixer.
11-Add the cocoa powder, powdered sugar, vanilla: Add the cocoa powder, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. The mixture will be very dry.
12-Drizzle the heavy cream into the bowl: Drizzle the heavy cream into the bowl with the mixer running and beat until light and fluffy.
13-Spread frosting over the cooled peanut butter: Spread frosting over the cooled peanut butter cookie base.
14-Cut into bars and serve: Cut into bars and serve.

  • Prep Time: 30 min
  • Cook Time: 16 min
  • Method: bake

Nutrition

  • Calories: 620kcal
  • Sugar: 46g
  • Sodium: 332mg
  • Fat: 38g
  • Saturated Fat: 17g
  • Carbohydrates: 66g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 10g
  • Cholesterol: 79mg

Keywords: Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars