Peanut Butter Lunch Lady Cookie Bars

Cookies baked up in a sheet pan are a magical thing – the recipe is simple to make and it feeds a crowd without the hassle of portioning out individual spoonfuls of dough. Our childhood lunch lady knew all the tricks for feeding a hungry crowd, so we’ve taken some inspiration from her with our Peanut Butter Lunch Lady Cookie Bars. (Though our food hopefully tastes a little better than standard lunch room fare!)

If the usual go-to for dessert in your home is to pick up something from the grocery store, we suggest that you try some homemade cookie bars. Of course, store-bought treats take some of the pressure off of entertaining, but when you see how easy this is, you may never turn back. While we usually turn to something chocolate, we love a good sheet pan cookie whatever the flavor. We’re rarely one to turn down something sweet! We went with peanut butter for our most recent cookie bars and it was the right decision. Absolutely delicious!

We topped these cookie bars with a peanut butter frosting, which is sweet but the perfect pairing. You just can’t have too much peanut butter. A great alternative if you like a little more contrast would be a chocolate frosting – but we’re getting ahead of ourselves here. Peanut butter desserts are quite delicious – of course we love the sweetness, but the hint of saltiness really adds something special. Salty and sweet really are a match made in dessert heaven and our peanut butter cookie bars bring the best of both worlds together into one sheet pan.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll love this recipe because it’s a breeze to whip up and serves a crowd, making it perfect for gatherings. The combination of sweet and salty flavors in these bars is irresistible, and the peanut butter frosting takes them to the next level.

Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need

• Large cookie sheet or sheet pan
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Saucepan
• Spatula

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 ½ cup peanut butter, divided
• 1 ½ cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup milk + 2 tablespoons, divided
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups powdered sugar

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a large cookie sheet or line with parchment paper.
2. Mix together dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Whisk together ½ cup milk, vanilla extract, and eggs. Set aside.
4. In a saucepan, melt 1 cup (2 sticks) of butter and 1 cup peanut butter, bring to a boil. Remove from heat.
5. Slowly add flour mixture, followed by milk and egg mixture. Mix until well combined.
6. Pour batter onto cookie sheet, spreading batter evenly to edges.
7. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
8. For frosting: In a saucepan, bring 1 stick butter and ½ cup peanut butter to a boil.
9. Add 2 tablespoons milk and slowly mix in powdered sugar until well combined.
10. Pour frosting over cooled bars, spreading evenly to edges. Allow frosting to cool and set before serving.

Tips for Success

• Make sure the butter is softened for easy mixing.
• Spread the batter evenly on the sheet pan to ensure even baking.
• Let the bars cool completely before adding the frosting to prevent it from melting.

Additional Tips and Variations

• Try adding chocolate chips to the batter for extra flavor.
• Experiment with a chocolate frosting for a delightful twist.

Nutritional Highlights (Per Serving)

Calories: 350 | Fat: 18g | Carbs: 45g | Protein: 5g

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
A: Yes, crunchy peanut butter will add a nice texture to the bars.

Q: How should I store these cookie bars?
A: Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Conclusion

These Peanut Butter Lunch Lady Cookie Bars are a delightful treat that combines the loved flavors of sweet and salty. We hope you enjoy making and devouring them as much as we do. If you try this recipe, we’d love to hear about your experience. Share your thoughts and any creative twists you made in the comments below!