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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Because I can’t eat anything with chocolate in it I make the frosting using melted Reese’s peanut butter chips. My grandsons think it is better than chocolate frosting
!
Any adjustments needed if using a different nut butter other than peanut?
HAVEN’T YET BUT AM ABOUT TO. ANYTHING WITH PEANUT BUTTER AND OR CREAM CHEESE IS A MUST. THANK YOU.
These are fire!! For real!! They are outstanding!! Soo good!! Cures any sweet craving! Yummy!!
These came out awesome! I only had enough peanut butter for the bars, so did not spread on top, just the frosting. They still came out great! Most importantly, do not over-bake! Great recipe!
Easy and awesome. Thank you!
Can I make these with oat flour rather than with oats? The recipe looks delicous. I will need to adjust it to be Gluten Free.
I haven’t tested with oat flour but would love to hear back if you do!
Got this recipe years ago from a local school lunch lady but eventually misplaced it over time. My hometown school made these for lunches from kindergarten to 12th grade!
It was great to find the recipe again.
I made them for our family reunion and all the adults carried on how they grew up eating these in school. Big hit! Thank you for sharing.
Not quite sure what I did wrong… felt like I followed the directions exactly but at the 18 minute mark the edges were looking quite brown and the center was completely liquid in the center with a pretty done looking edge; lowered the temp to 300 and baked for another long while, still rather underdone. My only thought is that I may have overbeat the butter but I’m not sure. Thanks!
I followed the recipe exactly and these were a big hit with my family! Thank you for the recipe!