Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars

For the peanut butter bars:

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1 cup peanut butter

2 cups oats

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

For the peanut butter layer:

1½ cups peanut butter

For the frosting:

½ cup butter, softened

¼ cup milk

2 teaspoons vanilla

¼ cup cocoa powder

3 cups confectioner’s sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet (1/2-sized sheet pan or jelly roll pan) with aluminum foil and spray with baking spray. In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar and brown sugar. Add vanilla, eggs, and 1 cup peanut butter; mix to combine. Add oats, flour, baking soda and salt and mix until well combined. Spread dough in an even layer on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until center is set. Remove from oven. Drop 1½ cups peanut butter by small spoonfuls all over the top of the warm bars and gently spread when the peanut butter has begun to melt. Let bars cool until peanut butter has set up; about 1 hour. While cooling, mix together frosting ingredients with a hand mixer; spread evenly on top of bars. Cut into bars and serve. Makes 24-48 bars, depending of the serving size you prefer.

The writer owns Catering by Debbi Covington and is the author of three cookbooks, Celebrate Beaufort, Celebrate Everything! and Dining Under the Carolina Moon. For more great recipes and to view her cooking demonstrations, visit and subscribe to Debbi’s YouTube channel. Debbi’s website address is www.cateringbydebbicovington.com. She may be reached at 843-525-0350 or by email at dbc@cateringbydebbicovington.com.