Our old fashioned Peanut Butter Bars recipe has a thick and chewy base topped a quick chocolate glaze. They're perfect for potlucks or parties and can be made ahead or frozen!

A stack of chewy peanut butter bars topped with a layer of peanut butter and a chocolate frosting on a plate to share.

These chewy peanut butter bars are THE treat to bring to every potluck and way better than the Lunch lady peanut butter bars you may remember as a kid. A family friend (thanks Chris McLaws!) shared this recipe with us decades ago and it's been the most popular cookie bar in our family, since. They have the BEST soft and chewy texture and peanut butter flavor and you can double the recipe to bake in a baker's half sheet pan.

How to make Peanut Butter Bars:

Make Dough: With a hand mixer or stand mixer, cream butter, sugar, and brown sugar together. Add eggs, vanilla, and peanut butter then mix again. Stir dry ingredients in separate bowl, then combine.

Two images showing lunch lady peanut butter bars cookie dough, then after they are baked and peanut butter is being spread on top.

Bake: Press dough into a greased 9×13″ baking pan and bake at 350°F (180°C) for 17-21 minutes. Be careful not to over-bake! They shouldn't look glossy, but barely set in the center (they will continue to harden as they cool).

Peanut butter and chocolate topping: Cool bars completely then spread a thin layer of peanut butter and melted chocolate glaze on top.

Two images showing chocolate peanut butter bars cut into squares then a few served on a platter.

Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:

To Make Ahead: Peanut butter bars will keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. The cookie dough could be made a day ahead of time, stored in the fridge until ready to bake.

To Freeze: Cover homemade peanut butter bars with plastic wrap, then a double layer or aluminum foil and freeze in a freezer safe pan up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge then bring to room temperature before serving.

More “Bar” Recipes:

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Recipe

A stack of chewy peanut butter bars topped with a layer of peanut butter and a chocolate frosting on a plate to share.
Prep 20 minutes
Cook 30 minutes
Total 50 minutes
Save Recipe

Ingredients
  

Peanut Butter Bars:

Chocolate Frosting:

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, sugar and brown sugar. Add the eggs, vanilla, and peanut butter and mix well.
    ¾ cup butter, ½ cup granulated sugar, 1 cup light brown sugar, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl mix together the dry ingredients.
    2 ½ teaspoons baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • Combine: Add dry ingredients to creamy mixture. Press firmly into a greased 9×13'' pan.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 17-21 minutes or until no longer glossy, but just barely set in the center. Do not over-bake; they will harden as they cool. Allow to cool completely before frosting.
  • Spread Peanut Butter: Once cool, spread a thin layer of creamy peanut butter over the bars.
  • Chocolate Frosting: Add butter to a small skillet over medium heat. Once melted, stir in cocoa. Remove from heat and stir im milk, powdered sugar and vanilla. Whisk until smooth, using electric beaters to get out any lumps, if needed. Spread chocolate frosting over the top of the bars.
    ¼ cup butter, 1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 ½ Tablespoons milk, 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Notes

Yield: 24 peanut butter bars. Serving Size: 1 peanut butter bar.
Make Ahead Instructions: Follow the recipe as instructed then cover well and keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Dough can be made one day ahead, stored in the fridge. 
Freezing Instructions: Make the homemade peanut butter bar recipe then cover well and freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator then place on the counter to bring to room temperature before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 237kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 4gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 256mgPotassium: 89mgFiber: 1gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 261IUCalcium: 21mgIron: 1mg

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I originally shared this recipe in April 2013. Updated February 2018, May 2021 (frosting recipe amended), June 2023 and March 2025

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Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

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emeig
22 days ago

5 stars
Delicious and easy, but I needed to make two batches of the frosting to cover all. Great bake sale item!

carl
1 month ago

5 stars
I bake these vegan they are the hit of the neighborhood

Theresa
1 year ago

Looks like most bakers did how I was taught. Let chocolate chips melt on top of base and then drizzle with thinned peanut better. I loved using super chunky PB the occasional nut was nice touch. Ours was called peanut butter fingers. Thanks for sharing your recipe

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