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Peanut Butter Bars

March 30, 2020 17 Comments

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Stacked peanut butter bars with chocolate drizzle

Chewy Peanut Butter Bars layered with chocolate and a delicious peanut butter glaze.   

 
 

Peanut butter bars stacked and scattered on a sheet of parchment
 

How to Make Peanut Butter Bars

Mixing bowl blending butter and peanut butter1
creamed peanut butter sugar mixture3
Flour mixture added to creamed peanut butter mixture in mixing bowl5
Brown sugar added to butter mixture2
2 eggs added to creamed mixture4
Scoop of oatmeal added to mixing bowl6

 

  1. In the bowl of a large mixer, add softened butter and peanut butter.  Mix until smooth.
  2. Add the sugar and brown sugar.  Cream the mixture.
  3. Mix until smooth.
  4. Add two eggs and vanilla.  Mix well.
  5. Add the flour, salt, and baking soda that has been sifted together and mix well.
  6. 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

Peanut butter bar mixture spread in baking sheet1
peanut butter bars pressed into baking sheet2
  1. Spread the dough into a 17 x 12-inch baking sheet that has been lightly buttered or sprayed with a nonstick spray.
  2. 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.
 
chocolate chips sprinkled over hot peanut butter bars1
Metal spatula spreading melted chocolate over baked bars2
  1. 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.
  2. 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

Powder sugar in a bowl with peanut butter and milk pouring over.1
Peanut butter glaze spread over chocolate with metal spatual3
Peanut butter glaze in a bowl with wire whisk stirring glaze2
Peanut butter glazed spread on top of peanut butter bars4
 
  1. 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
  2. Stir until mixture is smooth and creamy and there are no lumps are left in the glaze.
  3. Spread the glaze over the hardened chocolate.
  4. Allow the glaze to set completely before cutting into squares.  An hour in the refrigerator should do the trick.
 
 

Optional Chocolate Drizzle

Stacked peanut butter bars drizzled with chocolate

Drizzle with melted chocolate for an extra bite.  The perfect after school snack.  I bet you can’t eat just one.  

Stacked peanut butter bars with chocolate drizzle
4.5 from 4 votes
Print

Peanut Butter Bars

Peanut Butter Bars.  For the cookie monster in all of us.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword chocolate peanut butter bars, peanut butter bar recipe, peanut butter bars
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
chill time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 48 bars
Calories 185 kcal
Author Janet Barton

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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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!!!!

Nutrition Facts
Peanut Butter Bars
Amount Per Serving (1 bar)
Calories 185 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 4g20%
Cholesterol 17mg6%
Sodium 108mg5%
Potassium 95mg3%
Carbohydrates 23g8%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 16g18%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 135IU3%
Calcium 16mg2%
Iron 0.9mg5%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Previously published in 2013.  Recipe card, photos, and nutrition have been added

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Related

Filed Under: Cookies Tagged With: chocolate, Oatmeal, peanut butter, peanut butter bars, peanut butter oatmeal cookies

Previous Post: « Chocolate Mint Brownies
Next Post: Homemade Lemon Curd »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathryn B. says

    November 16, 2016 at 5:30 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Janet Barton says

      December 3, 2016 at 12:43 am

      I'm so glad you found the recipe. They are a family favorite and my kids loved them in their lunch box.

      Reply
  2. Anonymous says

    May 18, 2013 at 9:11 pm

    I love the La Crosse milk jar in the picture. I live in La Crosse!

    Reply
    • Janet@simplysogood says

      May 18, 2013 at 9:41 pm

      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.

      Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    May 8, 2013 at 5:12 pm

    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 🙂

    Reply
    • Janet@simplysogood says

      May 10, 2013 at 3:53 am

      Hahaha. I'm so glad you found my site and the recipe. They are terribly addicting.

      Reply
  4. Emily says

    May 3, 2013 at 11:06 pm

    YUM! Love the dairy bottle of milk! LaCrosse is near where I live. Where did you get it?!? Too funny!

    Reply
    • Janet@simplysogood says

      May 4, 2013 at 3:05 am

      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.

      Reply
  5. Diane says

    February 27, 2013 at 9:53 pm

    I'm getting ready to top these bars with the peanut butter glaze. We can't wait to bite into them! They smell heavenly.. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents with us. I love your blog.

    Reply
    • Janet@simplysogood says

      February 28, 2013 at 5:07 pm

      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 🙂

      Reply
  6. Ali says

    February 19, 2013 at 9:53 pm

    I love peanut butter so I'm going to love these.

    Ali x

    Reply
  7. kim @ design + life + kids says

    February 18, 2013 at 4:51 pm

    Yum! Looks so yummy and easy!

    Reply
  8. Melanie says

    February 16, 2013 at 11:45 pm

    Yummy! I can't wait to try these!

    Reply
  9. Kashi says

    February 14, 2013 at 9:52 am

    Thank you for this recipe, it looks much yummier than the one I have. I am making these today. Happy Valentine's Day.

    Reply
    • Janet@simplysogood says

      February 14, 2013 at 4:37 pm

      Thank you for your kind comment. Happy Valentine's to you.

      Reply
  10. Anonymous says

    February 14, 2013 at 3:18 am

    This looks delicious! Well, no surprise, your other recipes are amazing. Thank you, I think I'll make these this weekend.

    Reply
    • Janet@simplysogood says

      February 14, 2013 at 4:33 am

      Such a nice comment. Thank you. Enjoy!

      Reply

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