Description
These Peanut Butter Lunch Lady Cookie Bars are a nostalgic, chewy, and frosted dessert inspired by classic school cafeteria treats. With a rich peanut butter flavor and a smooth, creamy frosting, these bars are easy to make and perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookie Bars:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Frosting:
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare
- Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
- Grease a large rimmed cookie sheet or line with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
Step 3: Whisk Wet Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, vanilla extract, and beaten eggs.
Step 4: Melt Peanut Butter & Butter
- In a saucepan, melt butter and peanut butter over medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then remove from heat.
Step 5: Combine Ingredients
- Gradually add the peanut butter mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring continuously.
- Slowly mix in the milk and egg mixture until well combined.
Step 6: Bake the Bars
- Pour batter into the prepared baking sheet, spreading evenly.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool completely before frosting.
Step 7: Prepare the Frosting
- In a saucepan, melt butter and peanut butter over medium heat, stirring until smooth.
- Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons milk.
- Gradually mix in powdered sugar, whisking until smooth.
Step 8: Frost the Bars
- Spread the warm frosting evenly over the cooled bars.
- Let set for at least 30 minutes before cutting into squares.
Notes
- For a firmer texture: Chill the bars before cutting.
- To reduce sweetness: Use unsweetened peanut butter or cut the sugar slightly.
- To add texture: Sprinkle chopped peanuts or chocolate chips on top of the frosting.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 4 days, refrigerate for 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 40mg