Name: Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 16 min
Total time: 46 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 cups creamy peanut butter, divided in half; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup packed light brown sugar; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp baking soda; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 3 cups powdered sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 6 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 pinch salt; ¼ cup heavy whipping cream

Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars

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These chewy, chocolate-frosted peanut butter bars taste just like the ones from your school cafeteria—soft, sweet, and completely nostalgic.

Author: Sarah
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 16 minutes
Total Time: 46 minutes
Yield: 18 bars
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Cookie Base:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

2 cups creamy peanut butter, divided in half

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup packed light brown sugar

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 large eggs, room temperature

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

2 cups all-purpose flour

1½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats

Frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

3 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

6 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1 pinch salt

¼ cup heavy whipping cream

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Instructions

Preheat Oven:
Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 12×17-inch jelly roll pan.

Make Cookie Base:

Beat 1 cup peanut butter with softened butter until fluffy.

Add sugars and beat for 1–2 minutes.

Add eggs and vanilla; beat 2–3 more minutes.

In a separate bowl, combine salt, baking soda, flour, and oats.

Add dry ingredients to wet and mix just until combined.

Press dough evenly into prepared pan.

Bake:
Bake for 16 minutes, until center is set and edges are golden. Remove from oven.

Peanut Butter Layer (Optional but Recommended):
Microwave remaining 1 cup peanut butter until spreadable (30–60 seconds).
Pour over hot cookie layer and spread evenly. Cool to room temperature, then chill to firm up before frosting.

Make Frosting:

Beat softened butter until creamy.

Add powdered sugar, cocoa, vanilla, and salt.

Slowly drizzle in cream while mixing. Beat until light and fluffy.

Frost & Serve:
Spread frosting evenly over cooled peanut butter layer. Cut into bars and serve.

Notes

✔️ Use old-fashioned rolled oats — they provide the ideal chewy texture.

✔️ Don’t skip the peanut butter layer for that classic cafeteria flavor.

✔️ Chill the bars before frosting for easier spreading.

✔️ These bars are rich — perfect for slicing into small servings.

✔️ Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer shelf life.

Find it online: https://allrecipesmade.com/lunch-lady-peanut-butter-bars/