School Cafeteria Peanut Butter Bars

Step back in time with these nostalgic School Cafeteria Peanut Butter Bars, a dessert that strikes the perfect balance between sweet and salty indulgence. With a soft, chewy base made from creamy peanut butter, oats, and brown sugar, these bars are topped with a luscious, glossy chocolate-peanut butter frosting that melts in your mouth. Ready in just 40 minutes, this easy-to-follow recipe captures the childhood magic of cafeteria treats while elevating it with rich, homemade flavors. Ideal for potlucks, after-school snacks, or as a crowd-pleasing dessert, these bars are sure to spark joy in every bite. Don’t miss the chance to relive a classic treat with this irresistible homemade twist!

Nutriscore Rating: 43/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 24

Ingredients

• 1 cup Unsalted butter
• 1 cup Granulated sugar
• 1 cup Brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup Creamy peanut butter
• 2 Large eggs
• 2 teaspoons Pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 cup Old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1.5 cups Semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons Heavy cream (for frosting)
• 2 tablespoons Additional creamy peanut butter (for frosting)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 3

Add the peanut butter, eggs, and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing until fully incorporated.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined and no streaks of flour remain.

Step 5

Spread the peanut butter dough evenly into the prepared baking dish, pressing it into the corners using a spatula or your hands.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the center is set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Step 7

While the bars are cooling, make the chocolate frosting by melting the semisweet chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water (or microwave in short intervals, stirring frequently).

Step 8

Once melted, stir in the heavy cream and additional peanut butter until smooth and glossy.

Step 9

Spread the chocolate frosting evenly over the cooled peanut butter bars. Allow the frosting to set at room temperature or chill in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes for faster setting.

Step 10

Using the parchment overhang, lift the bars out of the pan and place them on a cutting board. Slice into 24 squares or bars and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1605.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	7057.6

Total Fat 355.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 152.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 654mg	0%
Sodium 3764.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 913.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 55.3g	0%
Total Sugars 614.6g
Protein 138.6g	0%

Vitamin D 80IU	0%
Calcium 746.8mg	0%
Iron 34.6mg	0%
Potassium 3880.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.2%

Protein: 7.5%

Carbs: 49.3%