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–+ servings
Two Peanut Butter Bars stacked together next to milk. Extra whole peanuts on the side.
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5 from 10 votes

Lunch Lady Bars

These Peanut Butter Bars with chocolate frosting remind me of the homemade bars that used to be served with school lunch in my hometown. Only 30 minutes to make!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Total Time27 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: peanut butter
Servings: 36
Calories: 179kcal
Author: Echo Blickenstaff

Equipment

  • Cookie Sheet Pan (18x26)
  • Conventional Oven

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup peanut butter
  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 cups oatmeal
  • 16 ounces milk chocolate frosting

Instructions

  • Blend butters and sugars together, then stir in eggs and vanilla.
    Mixing bowl with creamed butters and sugar mixture for Peanut Butter Bars. Mixing paddle on the side.
  • In a separate bowl, stir flour, salt, baking soda, and oatmeal together.
    Bowl of dry ingredients combined for Peanut Butter Bars. Wooden spoon on the side.
  • Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix well.
    Mixing bowl of Peanut Butter Bar dough and mixing paddle.
  • Press dough evenly onto an ungreased cookie sheet/jelly roll pan.
    Cookie sheet of spread out Peanut Butter Bar dough.
  • Bake at 350-degrees for 12-14 minutes (do not overcook).
    Baked cookie sheet of Peanut Butter Bars without frosting. Spatula and milk chocolate frosting container on the side.
  • Allow to cool, then spread chocolate frosting evenly over the bars.
    Spreading milk chocolate frosting with a spatula on top of baked Peanut Butter Bars.
  • Cut into individual squares.
    Cookie sheet of cut up Peanut Butter Bars in squares.

Video

Notes

  • Quick oats or old-fashioned oats both work, texture will vary slightly.
  • Use parchment paper for easy clean up.
  • Do not over bake. For the softest bars, pull them when they look set and lightly golden, not dark.
  • Chocolate chip option: sprinkle chips on warm bars, let melt, then spread.
  • Cool completely before frosting (unless melting chocolate chips).
  • For clean slices, chill the frosted bars before cutting and wipe the knife between cuts.

Nutrition

Calories: 179kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 142mg | Potassium: 83mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 131IU | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg