Perfectly thick, soft and chewy peanut butter bars with a peanut butter and chocolate glaze.
You wont see me use the words “BEST” in too many recipes, because a lot of people have great variations of a lot of dishes. However, without hesitation I can say these are THE BEST peanut butter bars in existence!
This peanut butter bars recipe has been a huge family favorite for many years. Simply put, they are completely addicting and you will want to eat the entire pan by yourself. Consider that my warning 🙂 
If I’m ever making these for a party I always have to make an extra pan for my family or else I’m in trouble! I’ve tried quite a few peanut butter bars in my day, and none compare to these.
First of all, they are thick, chewy, and soft. They’re in the same family as my Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, but with a peanut butter twist. I love the taste and texture that the oats add.
They have the perfect ratio of chocolate and peanut butter, without being overwhelmingly sweet.
The dough for the bars has 1/2 cup of peanut butter in it. Once they’re baked and cooled, you spread a very thin layer of creamy peanut butter over them.
Then, you make a warm chocolate frosting and pour it over the top. YUM!
These really are the World’s Best Peanut Butter Bars!
Consider trying these popular “bar” recipes:
- Snickerdoodle Bars
- Butterfinger Cookie Bars
- Caramel Crunch Bars
- Perfect Lemon Bars
- Oreo Cookie Bars
- Butterscotch Blondies
You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for more great recipes!
World's Best Peanut Butter Bars
Recipe Video
Ingredients
For the bars:
- 3/4 cup butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (plus more for spreading over baked bars)
- 3/4 Tablespoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
For the chocolate frosting:
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons milk
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, sugar and brown sugar.
- Add the eggs, vanilla, and peanut butter and mix well.
- In a separate bowl mix together the dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients to creamy mixture.
- Press firmly into a greased 9x13'' pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 17-21 minutes. Do not over-bake! They will look just barely set in the center, and they will harden as they cool. Allow to cool completely.
- Once cooled, spread a thin layer of peanut butter over the bars.
To make the chocolate frosting:
- Combine the butter, cocoa and milk in a medium saucepan. Heat until boiling.
- Stir for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in confectioners sugar and vanilla.
- Spread chocolate frosting over the top of the bars. Chocolate will thicken once cooled.
Nutrition
I originally shared this recipe in April 2013. Updated February 2018.
Kendi says
Is 1/2 Tablespoon baking soda correct? I’ve made these twice and used 1/2 teaspoon. Yummy recipe, but I double the frosting recipe.
Lauren Allen says
Yes, 1/2 Tablespoon is what I use (it’s equal to 1.5 teaspoons).
René says
My husband and I left out the oats and put it in a smaller pan, baking it twice as long. Or chocolate icing turned out beautifully the first time – I’m not sure why so many people had issues with it. Thank you so much for this recipe! We’ll definitely be making it again soon 💕
David says
Not only great so easy to make. One time made and a couple of people have asked for a link to this recipe. Thank you for helping me look good.
Also on a side note thank you for the smart web design of having the ‘jump to’ buttons at the top. Simple things like that make the whole site worth bookmarking not just for the one recipe.
Alyssa says
This recipe is fantastic!! I’ve made it twice now and it is simply delightful.
Lauren Allen says
I’m so happy you liked it! Thanks for sharing!
Dawn says
I just made these for the first time. Very easy and so delicious. Addictive. It tastes like a peanut butter cookie and a no bake in one. It’s not to sweet. Didn’t realize chocolate icing was so easy to make (I typically hate icing because its so sickening sweet but this one is just right). I will definitely make these again. Very good!!
BobbieAnn says
As to thimie world’s best I couldn’t say because other then this reciepe I have only had the box mix, I see no reason to sample any other recipe as this one is delicious and damn near full proof. I make them on an average of 6x a month and have only gotten the recipe correct 3 times in 2.5 months, they are great without the brown sugar, they are also great using imitation vanilla, the flavor is great even when over cooked although texture was not the best , I’ve even mistakenly added almond extract to one pan of a double batch and test tasted vanilla is the best, (I’ve learned 17 min is all it takes for my 11×17 pan and I pull them out even if they do not look down or if tooth pick comes out wet.) When I originally looked up the recipe I found one that said to put peanut butter on while still warm, (made it to sloppy) so my advice stick to the recipe all in all I see no reason to change anything just follow the recipe and you will be pleasamtly surprised.
Maggie says
I made these exactly as stated in the recipe and they came out GREAT! They are indeed the best ever peanut butter bars! I took these to a friend’s house for our football season opening game and they were a huge hit! They pan of cookies were devoured, not a crumb was left! I will be making these again and again throughout the fall and winter. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe with us!