Lunchroom Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

This post contains affiliate links.

I am old school. Literally. I went to school before these lunchroom bars were popular. In fact, I had never even heard of them until I saw them online. They looked good, easy, and who doesn’t like the combination of peanut butter and chocolate? I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. These are not cloyingly sweet. They are sweet, but not overly so; the amount of peanut butter in the dough and topping is just right. The chocolate finishes these off to perfection. If, like me, you were never treated to these when you were in school, give them a try.

Lunchroom Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Slightly adapted from halfbakedharvest.com

 1½ sticks salted butter

2 c. creamy peanut butter, divided

¾ c. dark brown sugar

¼ c. granulated sugar

2 large eggs, room temperature

1 T. vanilla extract

2 c. flour

1 t. baking powder

½ t. kosher salt

 Frosting

1 stick salted butter, room temperature

2½ c. powdered sugar

½ c. dark cocoa powder

2 t. vanilla extract

¼ c. warm milk

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a 9” x 13” baking dish with parchment paper; set aside.

 In a microwave safe bowl, melt butter and ½ cup peanut butter, stirring every 30 seconds until creamy. (This took me one minute.) Whisk in brown sugar, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.

 Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt.

Press dough into the bottom of the prepared dish. Bake for 20-22 minutes, until set in the center. Remove from oven and immediately dollop remaining 1½ c. peanut butter over the crust, lightly spreading in an even layer. Cool completely.

 To make frosting: place butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, and warm milk in a medium mixing bowl. Beat until smooth, adding additional warm milk as desired to reach spreadable consistency. Spread over bars and allowed to set. (This may take a couple of hours.) Slice and enjoy.