The Best Peanut Butter Bars

The Best Peanut Butter Bars

🥜 The Best Peanut Butter Bars — Gooey, Chewy, and Totally Irresistible

If desserts had a fan club, these bars would be president, vice president, and treasurer.

Some desserts are quick. Some desserts are decadent. But Peanut Butter Bars? They’re both. Soft, chewy, and layered with melty peanut butter and fudgy chocolate frosting, these bars are the kind of treat that makes you close your eyes and say, “Oh wow.”

They’re perfect for bake sales, after‑school snacks, or late‑night cravings. Basically, they’re the dessert equivalent of a warm hug — with a chocolatey high‑five on top.

💬 Reader prompt: Are you team “peanut butter + chocolate forever” or team “I’ll take my peanut butter solo, thanks”?

The last craving before having baby was Peanut Butter Bars, Matt had no idea what I was talking about when I sent him to the store for them. I knew I had to make them before I went to have the baby.

Luckily, we had all the ingredients for them, they are amazing! We had family barbecue at Grandma’s house on Sunday and I thought they’d be the perfect dessert for a barbecue. These were great give them a try. 

The Best Peanut Butter Bars

Ingredients

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar and brown sugar together. Add vanilla, eggs, and 1 cup of the peanut butter; stir to combine.
3. Add oats, flour, baking soda and salt and mix until well combined.
4. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and spread out dough in an even layer. I used a frosting spatula.
5. Bake for 20 minutes and remove from oven.
6. Drop remaining peanut butter by very small Spoonful’s all over on top of warm bars. Let set for about 5-6 minutes and gently spread when peanut butter has begun to melt. It will spread easily when the peanut butter has softened on the warm bars.
7. Then let the bars cool until peanut butter has set up. While cooling, mix together frosting ingredients with a hand mixer until smooth and spread on top of bars.
8. Cut into bars and serve.

🔢 Calorie Count (Per Bar, Based on 24 Bars)

• Calories: ~310
• Total Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Cholesterol: 40mg
• Sodium: 210mg
• Total Carbs: 34g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 22g
• Protein: 6g

💡 Note: Calories vary depending on how thick you slice your bars (and how much frosting “accidentally” ends up on your spoon).

🥕 Nutritional Facts & Fun

• Peanut Butter: Protein + healthy fats + pure joy.
• Oats: Fiber + chewy texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Antioxidants + chocolatey goodness.
• Butter: Flavor powerhouse.
• Eggs: Structure + richness.

💬 Reader prompt: Do you count peanut butter as a protein source or a dessert ingredient? (Trick question: it’s both!)

👩‍🍳 Baking Tips for Bar Success

• Don’t Overbake: Bars should be soft, not crunchy.
• Spread Evenly: Use an offset spatula for smooth layers.
• Cool Completely: Frosting spreads best on cooled bars.
• Peanut Butter Hack: Warm slightly in the microwave for easier spreading.
• Frosting Trick: Add a splash more cream if frosting feels too thick.

🔄 Recipe Variations

• Reese’s Remix: Sprinkle chopped peanut butter cups on top.
• Nutty Crunch: Add chopped peanuts to the dough.
• Oatmeal Chocolate Chip: Stir in mini chocolate chips with oats.
• Salted Caramel Swirl: Drizzle caramel over frosting.
• Gluten‑Free: Swap flour for a 1:1 gluten‑free blend.

💬 Reader prompt: Which version would your family devour first — Reese’s, caramel, or classic?

🧒 Kid Tips

• Let kids help press dough into the pan (messy but fun).
• Give them spoons to drizzle peanut butter.
• Let them decorate with sprinkles on top of frosting.
• Cut into mini squares for kid‑sized treats.

🛒 Grocery Hacks

• Buy Oats in Bulk: Cheaper and lasts forever.
• Butter Stock‑Up: Freeze sticks for baking emergencies.
• Peanut Butter Tip: Store upside down to prevent oil separation.
• Powdered Sugar Saver: Blend granulated sugar if you run out.

🎯 Reader Challenge

This weekend, I challenge you to bake a batch of Peanut Butter Bars and share them with someone — a neighbor, a friend, or even just your family after dinner. Bonus points if you try one of the variations! Post your creation with #LouLouGirlsPBbars so we can all drool together and swap ideas.

🥪 Leftover Remix

• Peanut Butter Bar Milkshake: Blend with vanilla ice cream and milk.
• Ice Cream Sundae Topping: Crumble bars over ice cream.
• Peanut Butter Trifle: Layer with pudding and whipped cream.
• Lunchbox Treats: Wrap individually for grab‑and‑go snacks.

💬 Reader prompt: Would you dare blend bars into a milkshake, or is that dessert overload?

💭 Final Thoughts

These Peanut Butter Bars are proof that simple ingredients can create something magical. With chewy oats, creamy peanut butter, and fudgy frosting, they’re the kind of dessert that makes everyone smile.

They’re also endlessly adaptable. You can keep them classic, go Reese’s‑style, or even turn them into milkshakes. And because they’re so easy, they’re perfect for bake sales, holidays, or cozy nights in.

Here’s the thing about dessert bars — they’re never just dessert. They’re the smell of peanut butter and chocolate filling your kitchen, the sight of glossy frosting setting on the counter, and the sound of happy chatter as everyone sneaks “just one more.”

And these peanut butter bars? They’re a little extra special. They’re chewy, they’re fudgy, and they’re guaranteed to make you the star of any bake sale or family gathering. They’re the kind of treat that makes people pause mid‑bite and say, “Oh wow, these are amazing.”

But here’s what I love most: they’re a recipe that invites creativity. You can swap toppings, play with flavors, or even turn them into ice cream sundaes. They’re forgiving, flexible, and fun — just like the best kind of kitchen adventures.

So here’s my challenge to you: bake them, share them, and tell me your twist. Did you go Reese’s? Did you sneak in caramel? Did you eat three before the frosting even set? (No judgment — I’ve been there.) Snap a pic, post it, and tag it so we can all drool together.

💬 Reader prompt: Should we do a “Bar Dessert Series” next? I’m dreaming up s’mores bars, cookie dough bars, and maybe even a brownie‑blondie mashup.

Until then, may your peanut butter be creamy, your frosting fudgy, and your kitchen full of laughter, love, and second helpings. Because at the end of the day, food isn’t just about filling our bellies — it’s about filling our lives with joy, connection, and a little sparkle. And these bars? They’re ready to do all three.

Did you try our the best Peanut Butter Bars? What did you think? We would love to hear from you! Please leave us a comment below or tag us on Instagram!