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–+ servings
Stack of homemade peanut butter bars with chocolate frosting on a white plate over a teal colored cloth.

Peanut Butter Bars

Peanut Butter Bars are a childhood favorite! You get a chewy peanut butter oat cookie base, topped with a smooth layer of pure peanut butter, and a final layer of rich chocolate frosting. People of all ages love them!
Servings: 30
Prep30 minutes
Cook12 minutes
Ready in: 42 minutes

Ingredients

Frosting

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a rimmed 18 by 13-inch cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
  •  In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, oats, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, blend together butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until creamy. 
  • Mix in eggs one at a time. Then blend in 1 cup peanut butter and the vanilla.
  • Add in flour mixture and mix just until combined.
  • Drop cookie dough onto prepared baking sheet. Spray hands with non-stick cooking spray and spread dough into an even layer. 
  • Bake in preheated oven 13 - 15 minutes until golden (see notes).
  • Remove from oven and cool 5 minutes, then dollop remaining 1 cup peanut butter by spoonfuls over top. Let sit 1 minute then spread peanut butter into an even layer to cover top.
  • Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Stir in cocoa, milk and salt and bring mixture just to a boil over medium heat. 
  • Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla, then stir in powdered sugar and mix until well combined (if needed you can add 1 Tbsp hot water to thin). 
  • Immediately pour over bars and spread into an even layer. Allow frosting to set then cut into squares. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

  • Be careful not to over-bake or edges will be dry, don't wait for it to be golden brown. They should be puffed and beginning to set but still soft.
  • Recipe adapted from Taste of Home