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Stacked peanut butter bars with chocolate drizzle
4.67 from 6 votes
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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.