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!
I get more attention for these Peanut Butter Bars than any other cookie bar.
I get more attention for these Peanut Butter Bars than any other cookie bar. 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.
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.
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:
- Blondies
- Magic Bars (7 Layer Bars)
- S'mores Bars
- Key Lime Pie Bars
- Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Scotcheroos
- Lemon Bars
- Butterfinger Bars
- M&M Cookie Bars
- Snickerdoodle Bars
- Sugar Cookie Bars
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Recipe
Peanut Butter Bars
Equipment
Ingredients
Peanut Butter Bars:
- 3/4 cup butter (170g), room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
- 1 cup light brown sugar (220g)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (135g), plus more for spreading over baked bars
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (188g)
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (170g)
Chocolate Frosting:
- 1/4 cup butter (57g)
- 1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons milk
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar (150g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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
Nutrition
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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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How do I measure 3/4 tablespoon baking soda?
Hi Lori. I like to take a 1 tablespoon measurer and fill it 3/4 the way full. Use your closest judgement :).
Really good!!
Could these be made in a jelly roll pan?
Yes! Double the recipe 🙂
This recipe is awesome! I have made it twice and it came out great both times. Great bar consistency! Rave reviews from all who tried it including myself, LOL My variation was using Hershey‘s special dark cocoa and a little espresso powder in the chocolate layer! Perfect combo of chocolate and peanut butter! Thanks so much for sharing such a great recipe! It’s a keeper!
These are INCREDIBLE!!
Hands down the best peanut butter bar recipe EVER!
Hands down the best peanut butter bar recipe EVER!
These are SO good! Possibly my new favorite dessert. I really like how they have oats in them and the taste and texture were great. Thank you.
Thanks so much–happy you liked them!
Mine did not set either after checking several times. I took the bars out of the oven and let them cool, but still they did not set. So I put the bars back into the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes and then took them out. When they cooled the second time, they set just perfectly. I had brand new baking soda and they sunk a bit in the middle after cooling, but at least were done and tasted wonderfully.
I just found your recipe and baked these for a family gathering today. They were definitely the hit of the party – everyone was raving how delicious they tasted. Thank you for a new favorite!
Thanks so much for your comment. I’m thrilled they were a hit! Thanks for sharing, and I’m glad you found me!
These are insanely good, I could have eaten all of them. lol. Brought the extras with me to work and everyone went crazy saying they were the best peanut butter bars they had ever had.