Peanut Butter Bars
User Reviews
4.9
Peanut Butter Bars
Description
This recipe produces peanut butter bars baked from a blend of butter, granulated and brown sugar, eggs, and peanut butter mixed with oats and flour. The oat inclusion adds hearty texture and chewiness, contrasting with the creamy chocolate frosting finished with cocoa powder and vanilla. Baking until just set ensures the bars remain soft and do not dry out.
The peanut butter layer spread after baking intensifies the flavor, setting a creamy contrast beneath the chocolate frosting, which is made on the stove by melting butter and mixing cocoa, milk, powdered sugar, and vanilla. This frosting adds a lightly bittersweet balance to the sweeter bar base.
The bars are portioned into about 24 servings and keep well in the refrigerator for up to a week. They can also be frozen for up to three months and thawed gradually to maintain texture. Proper cooling before frosting application is important to achieve a smooth top.
Ingredients
For the Bars:
- 3/4 cup butter (170g), room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
- 1 cup light brown sugar (220g)
- 2 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup peanut butter 135g), plus more for spreading over baked bars, creamy
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (188g)
- 2 cups rolled oats 170g, old-fashioned
For the Chocolate Frosting:
- 1/4 cup butter (57g)
- 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder unsweetened
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons milk
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar (150g)
- 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:
- Add butter to a small skillet over medium heat. Once melted, stir in cocoa.
- Remove from heat and add 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.
Notes
- This recipe yields about 24 peanut butter bars with one bar as a serving size.
- Store bars covered in the refrigerator for up to one week to keep fresh.
- Bars can be frozen for up to three months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 24Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 237 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 237kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 31g | 10% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 0.3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 36mg | 12% |
| Sodium | 256mg | 11% |
| Potassium | 89mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 20g | 40% |
| Vitamin A | 261IU | 5% |
| Calcium | 21mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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