School Cafeteria Peanut Butter Bars
Step back in time with these nostalgic School Cafeteria Peanut Butter Bars, a dessert that strikes the perfect balance between sweet and salty indulgence. With a soft, chewy base made from creamy peanut butter, oats, and brown sugar, these bars are topped with a luscious, glossy chocolate-peanut butter frosting that melts in your mouth. Ready in just 40 minutes, this easy-to-follow recipe captures the childhood magic of cafeteria treats while elevating it with rich, homemade flavors. Ideal for potlucks, after-school snacks, or as a crowd-pleasing dessert, these bars are sure to spark joy in every bite. Don’t miss the chance to relive a classic treat with this irresistible homemade twist!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Unsalted butter
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 cup Brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup Creamy peanut butter
- 2 Large eggs
- 2 teaspoons Pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 cup Old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1.5 cups Semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons Heavy cream (for frosting)
- 2 tablespoons Additional creamy peanut butter (for frosting)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the peanut butter, eggs, and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing until fully incorporated.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined and no streaks of flour remain.
Spread the peanut butter dough evenly into the prepared baking dish, pressing it into the corners using a spatula or your hands.
Bake in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the center is set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
While the bars are cooling, make the chocolate frosting by melting the semisweet chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water (or microwave in short intervals, stirring frequently).
Once melted, stir in the heavy cream and additional peanut butter until smooth and glossy.
Spread the chocolate frosting evenly over the cooled peanut butter bars. Allow the frosting to set at room temperature or chill in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes for faster setting.
Using the parchment overhang, lift the bars out of the pan and place them on a cutting board. Slice into 24 squares or bars and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
314 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 17.6 g | 23% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.3 g | 42% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 38 mg | 13% | |
| Sodium | 140 mg | 6% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 35.0 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.0 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 22.8 g | ||
| Protein | 5.6 g | 11% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 28 mg | 2% | |
| Iron | 1.1 mg | 6% | |
| Potassium | 138 mg | 3% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
