Lunchroom Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
These lunchroom chocolate peanut butter bars feature a soft, chewy peanut butter cookie base topped with a creamy peanut butter layer and rich chocolate frosting. They’re an easy, nostalgic dessert that’s perfect for parties, bake sales, or satisfying any chocolate-peanut butter craving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- Bars:
- 1 cup salted butter
- 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter, divided
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Chocolate Frosting:
- 1/2 cup salted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 to 4 tablespoons warm milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Melt the butter with half of the peanut butter until smooth, then let cool slightly.
- Stir the brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture until well combined.
- Mix in the flour, baking powder, and kosher salt until a soft dough forms.
- Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the center is just set and the edges are lightly golden.
- While the bars are still warm, spread the remaining peanut butter evenly over the surface. Let cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat together the butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and enough warm milk to create a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Spread the chocolate frosting evenly over the peanut butter layer.
- Allow the frosting to set before slicing into 24 bars and serving.
Notes
- Regular creamy peanut butter provides the smoothest texture and most consistent results.
- Do not overbake the bars to keep the base soft and chewy.
- Top with chopped roasted peanuts or mini chocolate chips for added texture.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- Freeze individual bars for up to 3 months and thaw before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
