Description
Peanut Butter Lunch Lady Bars are a nostalgic dessert bar with a soft, chewy peanut butter cookie base and thick, creamy peanut butter frosting. Just like the ones from your school cafeteria days — sweet, salty, rich, and incredibly easy to make. Perfect for bake sales, family gatherings, or when you simply need a comforting treat.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
4 to 6 tablespoons milk
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
6. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
7. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until the edges are golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Remove from oven and let the bars cool completely on a wire rack.
9. In a mixing bowl, beat the peanut butter with powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Add more milk as needed for a spreadable consistency.
10. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars using an offset spatula.
11. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
Let the bars cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the icing.
Use processed peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) for best texture; natural peanut butter may separate.
For a twist, add chocolate chips to the batter or drizzle melted chocolate over the top.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 315
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 170
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 34
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 35
Keywords: peanut butter bars, lunch lady dessert, peanut butter frosting