Sweet School Memory: Gooey Peanut Butter Lunch Lady Cookie Bars Recipe

Soft, chewy, and irresistibly decadent, these peanut butter lunch lady cookie bars have been stealing hearts in school cafeterias for decades.

Memories of childhood desserts rush back with each nostalgic bite.

Generations of students have craved these classic treats that blend rich, creamy peanut butter with a tender cookie base.

The simple yet delightful recipe captures comfort in every single square.

Warm from the oven or cooled to perfection, these bars promise a sweet escape from ordinary desserts.

No bakery could match the homemade charm of this beloved recipe.

Grab a plate and savor every delicious moment of these legendary cookie bars.

Serve Cut Into Squares or Sticks

• Sweet Classroom Memories: Reminisce about classic school lunch desserts with these nostalgic serving suggestions that bring back delightful childhood flavors.
• Milk Pairing Perfection: Serve these warm peanut butter bars with a cold glass of milk for the ultimate comfort food experience that melts in your mouth.
• Decadent Dessert Upgrade: Top each bar with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce to transform this simple treat into an indulgent dessert that impresses everyone.
• Picnic Party Treat: Pack these bars in lunch boxes or wrap individually for a portable snack that's perfect for school lunches, road trips, or outdoor gatherings with friends and family.

Store in a Covered Container for Days

• Let the cookie bars cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, then transfer to the refrigerator for faster cooling. This technique helps set the texture and makes cutting easier.
• Cut bars into uniform squares before storing. Stack them between parchment paper layers in an airtight container to prevent sticking and maintain freshness.
• Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a sealed freezer bag. Freeze up to 3 months for convenient grab-and-go snacks. Thaw at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before enjoying.
• Keep bars in a sealed container at room temperature for 5-7 days. Add a slice of bread to the container to maintain softness and prevent drying out. Replace bread slice every 2-3 days to ensure optimal moisture.

FAQs

• What makes these peanut butter bars different from regular cookies?

These bars are softer, thicker, and more dense than traditional cookies, giving them a rich, cake-like texture that’s reminiscent of classic school cafeteria desserts.

• Can I use natural peanut butter for this recipe?

Creamy commercial peanut butter works best because it has a consistent texture and stabilizers that help bind the ingredients together. Natural peanut butter might make the bars too crumbly or oily.

• How do I know when the bars are perfectly baked?

Look for golden brown edges and a slightly firm center. When you insert a toothpick, it should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter. Overbaking can make the bars dry and tough.

• Is it necessary to use parchment paper when preparing the baking pan?

Yes, parchment paper helps prevent sticking and makes it easier to remove and cut the bars cleanly. If you don’t have parchment paper, generously grease the pan with butter or cooking spray.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 335 kcal

Servings: 24

Peanut Butter Bar Ingredient Breakdown

• Butter: Adds rich, creamy flavor and creates tender texture for the cookie bars.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create crisp edges.
• Brown Sugar: Brings deep caramel notes and helps keep bars moist and soft.

• Peanut Butter: Delivers signature nutty taste and creamy consistency to the bars.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens overall flavor complexity and adds aromatic warmth.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to smooth, rich texture.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates structural foundation for the cookie bars.
• Baking Soda: Helps bars rise and achieve light, tender crumb.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies other flavor profiles.

Tools for Making Lunch Lady Cookie Bars

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer or stand mixer: Perfect for beating butter, sugar, and creating fluffy consistency.
• Whisk: Ideal for combining dry ingredients evenly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• 9×13-inch baking pan: Necessary for baking the cookie bars.
• Parchment paper: Helps with easy removal and prevents sticking.
• Spatula: Useful for spreading dough and scraping bowl.
• Toothpick: Helps check doneness of the bars.

Bake Peanut Butter Bars That Stay Chewy

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350 degrees and give your baking pan a quick spray of nonstick. Line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.

• Create Creamy Base

Grab your mixer and whip butter and sugars into a fluffy cloud. Blend in peanut butter until silky smooth, then crack in eggs and splash of vanilla. Mix until everything looks happy together.

• Blend Dry Components

In another bowl, gently combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly fold these dry ingredients into your creamy mixture, stirring just enough to get everything married together.

• Transform into Delicious Bars

Spread the dough evenly across your prepared pan like you’re giving it a smooth, delicious blanket. Pop it into the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes. You’ll know it’s perfect when the edges turn golden and a toothpick comes out clean when poked in the center.

• Cool and Enjoy

Let the bars cool completely in the pan. This waiting time helps them set and become wonderfully chewy. Once cooled, slice and devour these irresistible treats that’ll remind you of classic cafeteria desserts.

Tips That Bring Out Rich Flavor and Texture

• Use room temperature butter and eggs for a smoother, more evenly mixed dough that creates perfectly tender bars.
• Check doneness early and avoid overbaking; bars will continue cooking slightly after removing from the oven, ensuring a soft, chewy texture.
• Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these bars suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Add a scoop of vanilla or unflavored protein powder to the dry ingredients for an extra nutritional punch without compromising flavor.
• Substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or almond butter for those with peanut allergies, maintaining the rich, creamy texture of the original recipe.

Gooey Peanut Butter Lunch Lady Cookie Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Cookie Bars blend nostalgic school cafeteria memories with irresistible homemade charm. Classic ingredients create a comforting dessert perfect for satisfying sweet cravings when you want a taste of childhood.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (225 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 ½ cups (375 g / 13.2 oz) creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup (200 g / 7 oz) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (220 g / 7.8 oz) brown sugar (packed)
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (250 g / 8.8 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup (250 g / 8.8 oz) powdered sugar
• ½ cup (125 g / 4.4 oz) creamy peanut butter
• 3–4 tbsps milk (adjust for consistency)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheating: Configure the oven to 350F (175C) and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, lightly greasing the surface to prevent sticking.
2. Creaming: Vigorously whip butter and sugars until achieving a light, fluffy texture that appears pale and aerated, creating a smooth foundation for the cookie bars.
3. Wet Ingredients Integration: Blend in peanut butter until silky, then incorporate eggs one at a time, ensuring complete integration after each addition. Finish with a splash of vanilla extract to elevate the flavor complexity.
4. Dry Mixture Preparation: Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together, then delicately fold into the wet ingredients. Mix gently until just combined, avoiding overmixing to maintain the bars’ tender structure.
5. Baking Process: Spread the dough evenly across the prepared pan, creating a uniform layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, monitoring for golden-brown edges and checking doneness with a clean toothpick inserted into the center.
6. Cooling and Serving: Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely within the pan, enabling them to set and develop a rich, chewy texture before slicing and enjoying.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stopping as soon as ingredients combine to maintain tender, soft bar texture without developing tough gluten.
• Temperature Precision: Use room temperature butter and eggs for smoother blending and more consistent cookie bar performance, ensuring even mixing and better texture.
• Checking Doneness: Golden-brown edges and clean toothpick test are crucial indicators; bars continue cooking slightly after removal from oven, so avoid overbaking to preserve moist interior.
• Pan Preparation Strategy: Line pan with parchment paper extending slightly over edges for easy removal and clean cutting of bars, reducing potential sticking and crumbling.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 365
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg