Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars | Food For Your Good!

Delicious homemade Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars with a creamy, smooth peanut butter topping and a chewy, golden-brown base. Recipe available on FoodForYourGood.com — Indulge in these nostalgic Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars—creamy, chewy, and packed with peanut butter goodness! Find the full recipe at FoodForYourGood.com

There’s something special about a nostalgic, old-school dessert, and Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars bring all the comforting flavors of childhood straight to your kitchen. These thick, chewy peanut butter bars are soft, buttery, and topped with a smooth peanut butter glaze that melts right into every bite. They’re simple to make, yet absolutely irresistible—perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or just a sweet treat at home.

But did you know? Peanut butter bars became a cafeteria staple in the 1960s and ’70s, when lunch ladies across America perfected the art of budget-friendly, crowd-pleasing desserts. Now, these bars are a beloved classic, bringing back memories with every bite.

What makes them even better? You don’t need fancy ingredients or special skills—just one bowl, one pan, and about 30 minutes. Plus, they’re the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and nutty goodness. Whether you’re reliving school-day memories or discovering this treat for the first time, one thing’s for sure—these bars will disappear fast! So, grab your mixing bowl and let’s get baking!

Recipe Yield: 12–16 bars

INGREDIENTS

For the Cookie Bars:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter (not natural)
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
one tbsp pure vanilla extract
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt

For the Peanut Butter Glaze:

¾ cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
¼ cup + 1 tbsp whole milk (adjust if needed)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat & Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well until fully combined.

3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until fully incorporated.

4. Bake the Bars: Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).

5. Make the Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. If too thick, add 1 teaspoon of milk at a time until it reaches a spreadable consistency.

6. Glaze & Set: Let the bars cool for 10–15 minutes before spreading the peanut butter glaze evenly over the top. Let set for at least 20 minutes before slicing into bars.

7. Serve & Enjoy! These bars are chewy, rich, and packed with peanut butter flavor—perfect for sharing or enjoying all to yourself!

HELPFUL TIPS TO PERFECT THIS RECIPE

Use Processed Peanut Butter – Natural peanut butter can separate and affect texture. Stick with creamy, shelf-stable brands.
Don’t Overbake! – The bars will continue setting as they cool, so remove them when they’re lightly golden and slightly soft in the center.
Get That Classic Glaze! – For the best Lunch Lady-style frosting, spread the peanut butter glaze while the bars are still slightly warm so it melts beautifully into the surface.

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