Description
These Peanut Butter Lunch Lady Cookie Bars are thick, soft, and frosted with a rich peanut butter glaze that melts into every bite—just like the classic school cafeteria treat, but better.
Ingredients
- For the bars:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- For the frosting:
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk (more if needed for consistency)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment.
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In a large bowl, combine melted butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Mix until smooth.
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Stir in eggs and vanilla extract.
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Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until batter is just combined.
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Spread batter evenly in prepared pan and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden on top and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
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While bars bake, melt peanut butter and butter for the frosting in a saucepan or microwave.
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Stir in powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and spreadable.
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When bars come out of the oven, immediately spread frosting on top while warm.
-
Cool completely before slicing into bars.
Notes
- Frosting while the bars are warm helps it soak in slightly for that iconic texture.
- Add chocolate chips or chopped peanuts for a twist.
- These freeze beautifully—great for make-ahead desserts.
- Use a well-stirred natural peanut butter if going oil-free, but textures may vary slightly.
