Chewy Peanut Butter Bars layered with chocolate and a delicious peanut butter glaze.
How to Make Peanut Butter Bars
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- In the bowl of a large mixer, add softened butter and peanut butter. Mix until smooth.
- Add the sugar and brown sugar. Cream the mixture.
- Mix until smooth.
- Add two eggs and vanilla. Mix well.
- Add the flour, salt, and baking soda that has been sifted together and mix well.
- Add the oatmeal/rolled oats. I like to use old-fashioned oats. I like the chew they give to the bars. You can us quick cooking if that’s all you have. Mix until the oatmeal is well combined. The mixture will be quite stiff and delicious to eat.
Gluten-Free Option: Use 2 1/2 cups of Oat flour in place of 2 cups all-purpose flour.
Baking the Peanut Butter Bars
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2- Spread the dough into a 17 x 12-inch baking sheet that has been lightly buttered or sprayed with a nonstick spray.
- Lightly press the dough into place. Don’t push down too hard. This isn’t a crust, it’s a cookie layer. Place in a preheated 350-degree oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. DO NOT OVER BAKE. The bars will be slightly golden around the edges. Remove from the oven.
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2- Immediately sprinkle the entire 12 oz of semi-sweet chocolate chips over the hot cookie. The heat of the cookie base will melt the chocolate chips.
- Once the chips have all melted spread the chocolate evenly over the surface of the baked peanut butter bars. The chocolate needs to harden completely before moving on to the next step. Place them in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or until the chocolate is hard and the cookie bottom is completely cooled.
Glazing the Peanut Butter Bars
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4- Once the chocolate has hardened, I make the peanut butter glaze. In a medium-size mixing bowl add the 2 cups powdered sugar add peanut butter and milk
- Stir until mixture is smooth and creamy and there are no lumps are left in the glaze.
- Spread the glaze over the hardened chocolate.
- Allow the glaze to set completely before cutting into squares. An hour in the refrigerator should do the trick.
Optional Chocolate Drizzle
Drizzle with melted chocolate for an extra bite. The perfect after school snack. I bet you can’t eat just one.
Peanut Butter Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar firmly packed
- 2 eggs
- 2/3 cup peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cup oats quick-cooking or old-fashioned
Topping:
- 12 oz package semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 cup confectioner's sugar
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup milk
Optional Chocolate Drizzle
- 1/4 cup chocolate melted
Instructions
Peanut Butter Bars
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Preheat oven to 350-degrees F. Grease a 12 x 18-inch baking sheet. Set aside. Cream the butter and peanut butter. Add white and brown sugars. Mix until creamy. Blend in egg, 2/3 cup peanut butter, baking soda, salt, and vanilla. Stir in flour and oatmeal. Spread evenly into greased baking sheet. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Do not over bake.
Chocolate Layer
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Remove pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle with chocolate chips. Let stand for 5 minutes to allow the chocolate chips to melt. When melted spread the melted chocolate evenly over the baked bars. Place in the refrigerator until chocolate has hardened.
Peanut Butter Glaze
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Meanwhile prepare topping. Cream confectioner's sugar, 1/4 cup peanut butter and milk until smooth and is a spreading consistency. If the icing is too thick, thin by adding 1 tablespoon of milk at a time until the icing is spreading consistency. When the chocolate layer has hardened spread the icing in a thin layer covering the chocolate completely. Allow the icing to set completely before cutting into bars.
Optional Chocolate Drizzle
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In a microwave-safe glass bowl melt chocolate for about 30 seconds. Stir until all chocolate is melted. Drizzle over set iced bars. NOTE: if using chocolate chips for drizzle add 1 teaspoon coconut oil or shortening with the chocolate to help thin it out.
Recipe Notes
- The recipe can be cut in half and baked in a 9 x 13-inch pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes.
- Mini chocolate chips will melt faster than regular-size chocolate chips for the chocolate center.
- Quick-cooking oats are best but old-fashioned oats can be used. The bar will be a bit chewier and taste a little oatier.
- I used coverture chocolate for the drizzle. If using chocolate chips add 1 teaspoon of coconut oil or shortening to the chocolate chips because chocolate chips will melt into a big clump. The addition of coconut oil will make it thin enough to drizzle.
- DO NOT OVERBAKE THE PEANUT BUTTER BARS.
Gluten-Free Option: Substitute 2 cups all-purpose flour for 2 1/2 cups oat flour. Delish!!!!
Previously published in 2013. Recipe card, photos, and nutrition have been added
I've been looking everywhere for this recipe! They used to make these in school and I used to love them! I made them and they were so delicious just like I remember.
I'm so glad you found the recipe. They are a family favorite and my kids loved them in their lunch box.
I love the La Crosse milk jar in the picture. I live in La Crosse!
That's so awesome. My dad has a box of milk bottles from all over. It's your's if you want it. I'd be happy to send it to you. Just sent me an email on the "contact me" tab and send me your address.
my mom used to make these, and now imn making them for my friends, they're soo good!!! i couldent find this recipe anywhere else, so thanks for having it ๐
Hahaha. I'm so glad you found my site and the recipe. They are terribly addicting.
YUM! Love the dairy bottle of milk! LaCrosse is near where I live. Where did you get it?!? Too funny!
That's so funny. I have no idea where it came from. My grandpa had a dairy farm near Park City, Utah. My dad just has a box of vintage milk bottles and that just happened to be in the box. I'll send it to you, if you want it. email me you shipping info to simplysogood@hotmail and it's yours.
I'm getting ready to top these bars with the peanut butter glaze. We can't wait to bite into them! They smell heavenly.. ๐ Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents with us. I love your blog.
Thank you for loving my blog. I can't wait to hear how many of these bars you eat. I can't stop once I start. It's just terrible ๐
I love peanut butter so I'm going to love these.
Ali x
Yum! Looks so yummy and easy!
Yummy! I can't wait to try these!
Thank you for this recipe, it looks much yummier than the one I have. I am making these today. Happy Valentine's Day.
Thank you for your kind comment. Happy Valentine's to you.
This looks delicious! Well, no surprise, your other recipes are amazing. Thank you, I think I'll make these this weekend.
Such a nice comment. Thank you. Enjoy!