Peanut Butter Bars
User Reviews
5
Peanut Butter Bars
Description
These Peanut Butter Bars start with a batter made from butter, brown and granulated sugars, eggs, and vanilla combined with peanut butter, flour, baking soda, salt, and rolled oats. Once baked, they develop a firm but tender texture with a slightly crisp edge and oat-containing chewiness.
After baking, the bars are topped with whipped peanut butter that adds a fluffy, creamy layer contrasting the denser bar crust. The final layer is a cocoa-based chocolate icing made from melted butter, milk, cocoa powder, vanilla, and powdered sugar, poured over the bars and allowed to set, creating a smooth and sweet chocolate topping.
The balance of peanut butter and chocolate flavors with varying textures makes the bars satisfying for a dessert or snack.
Use regular peanut butter for the best consistency as natural peanut butters may alter texture. Sift powdered sugar to ensure smooth icing, and any type of milk can be used for the icing. Salted butter can be substituted if needed.
Ingredients
Peanut Butter Bars
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 egg large
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ cups peanut butter divided
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
Chocolate Icing
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder unsweetened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a jelly roll (10x15-inch) baking pan. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars together until well-combined, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add eggs and vanilla, and mix until combined, scraping down the bowl as needed.
- Mix in 3/4 cup peanut butter until well-combined, about 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until almost incorporated.
- Stir in oats until just incorporated.
- Spread batter into prepared pan.
- Bake 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let bars cool in pan for 10 minutes.
- Beat remaining 3/4 cup peanut butter until whipped and fluffy.
- Drop spoonfuls, and gently spread to cover bars. Please see the notes above the recipe for tips on spreading the peanut butter. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, add butter, milk, and cocoa powder.
- Bring just to a boil over medium heat.
- Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla and powdered sugar3 until combined.
- Pour over bars.
- Let cool in the pan completely before cutting and serving.
Notes
- Salted butter can be used instead of unsalted butter in the bars and icing.
- Both light and dark brown sugar work equally well in this recipe.
- Use regular peanut butter with oil and sugar for better texture; natural peanut butters may not work well.
- Any type of milk, including nondairy milks like almond milk, is suitable for the chocolate icing.
- Sift powdered sugar before using to prevent lumps and ensure smooth icing.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 20servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 383 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 383kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 46g | 15% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 40mg | 13% |
| Sodium | 266mg | 11% |
| Potassium | 195mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 32g | 64% |
| Vitamin A | 315IU | 6% |
| Calcium | 30mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1.4mg | 8% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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