Description
Nostalgic school cafeteria peanut butter lunch lady cookie bars bring comfort and sweetness to modern dessert tables. Classic flavors merge with childhood memories, inviting you to savor each rich, buttery square that connects generations through simple, delicious ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups (240 grams) flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 3 sticks (340 grams) butter
- 2 cups (400 grams) sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) peanut butter
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F (200C) and prepare a cookie sheet by lightly greasing its surface to prevent sticking.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend the dry ingredients, ensuring an even distribution of flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- Create a separate mixture by whisking milk, vanilla extract, and eggs until well combined and smooth.
- Using a saucepan over medium heat, gently melt butter and peanut butter together, stirring continuously until the mixture reaches a silky consistency.
- Incorporate the melted butter-peanut butter blend into the dry ingredients, then fold in the egg mixture until a uniform batter forms.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared cookie sheet, carefully spreading it into an even layer to ensure consistent baking.
- Slide the sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, watching for a golden-brown color and firm texture.
- Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely, which helps set the structure and prevents crumbling.
- Prepare the frosting by melting butter and peanut butter in a saucepan, then gradually introducing milk and powdered sugar while stirring to create a smooth, glossy finish.
- Once the bars have cooled, generously apply the peanut butter frosting across the surface, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Let the frosting set for several minutes to achieve a stable consistency before slicing into squares.
- Serve and savor the rich, decadent peanut butter bars.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and consistent texture.
- Opt for natural, creamy peanut butter for a richer, more authentic flavor profile.
- Line the baking sheet with parchment paper for easier removal and cleanup of the cookie bars.
- Adjust baking time slightly if you prefer softer or crispier edges, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg