Do you remember those little Peanut Butter dessert bars from your school days? I always thought it was a very thin delicious cake with some kind of peanut butter icing. Whatever they were called, I always liked them. 

My husband discovered this recipe recently and has made them a few times already. He does more baking than I do in our home and if you have been around this blog long, you have probably heard me say that. His Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Icing is still the most requested dessert in our family.

The last time he made these Peanut Butter Dessert Bars was at the holidays and he had to make two pans of them so everyone could take some home. 

Did you know that peanut butter has been around since the 1800’s? Yep and you can eat it straight out of the jar or use it as an ingredient for delicious recipes. When you get to the bottom of this page you will find lots more recipes celebrating Peanut Butter Lovers Day from my foodie blogger friends!

Batter Ingredients

• 2 Cups sifted All Purpose flour
• 1 Cup granulated sugar
• 1 Cup loosely packed light brown sugar
• 1 Cup creamy peanut butter (this brand is good)
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 2 sticks Unsalted Butter
• 1/2 Cup Milk
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. salt

Frosting Ingredients

• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/3 Cup Milk
• 4 Cups Powdered Sugar
• 1 stick unsalted butter

Step 1

Begin by mixing the dry ingredients in a bowl, blend with a whisk and set it aside.

No need to take out the mixer for this batter recipe. We mix it all by hand using a whisk. I do use a hand mixer for the frosting.

Step 2

In a small bowl, add the wet ingredients, egg, vanilla and milk and whisk. Set aside.

Step 3

Use a large pot to melt the butter and peanut butter together.

Note

Rather than transfer to a bowl to mix, we mix all of the ingredients together in the large pot.

Add the flour mixture a little at a time to the melted mixture and stir with a whisk. It will become hard to stir but don’t worry because adding the wet ingredients will make it easier. 

Add the wet ingredients and continue to stir until all ingredients are well blended.

Step 4

Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour the prepared batter onto the baking sheet and spread with the back of a spoon.

Bake in a preheated oven at 400° for about 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

While the Peanut Butter Bar is cooling, go ahead a make the scrumptious frosting.

Frosting Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Peanut butter
• 1/3 Cup Milk
• 4 Cups Powdered Sugar
• 1 stick unsalted butter

Frosting Instructions

I use a hand mixer to make the frosting.

Step 1

In a large saucepan, melt one stick of butter and 1/2 Cup of creamy peanut butter until it comes to a full rolling bowl. Immediately remove from heat.

Step 2

Add about 1/3 Cup of milk to the mixture and begin adding the powdered sugar into the saucepan a little at a time mixing well with a between each addition.

Note

You may need a little more milk if your frosting is too thick. If this is the case, only add about 1 Tablespoon of milk at a time until you reach your desired consistency. If your frosting is too thin, add a little more powdered sugar and mix well.

Optional Peanuts on Top

Did you notice we put peanuts INSIDE the mix for the bar? If you are as peanut crazy as we are, go ahead and add peanuts to the top of the bar too! I actually placed in one by one so that each slice would have a few. 

More Homemade Dessert Recipes

• Sweet & Salty Chocolate Caramel Nut Clusters
• Homemade Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream
• The Ultimate Strawberries and Cream Rice Krispies Treats Recipe
• Classic Pumpkin Pie
• How To Make Charlie Brown Cookies
• Pecan Snowdrop Cookies Recipe
• Make This Easy Homemade Hot Fudge Recipe

A DESSERT WITH MANY NAMES

Do you call them Peanut Butter Cake Bars, Peanut Butter Brownie Bars, Peanut Butter Sheet Cake or just plain old Peanut Butter Bars?

My hubby likes to call them Peanut Butter Lunch Lady Bars 2.0! He added dry roasted peanuts to the batter and the frosting and as it turns out, everyone loves his new version!