These chewy Peanut Butter Bars are everyone’s favorite and so easy to make! They’re thick and chewy and topped with peanut butter and chocolate glaze.
Do you love dessert bar recipes? Try our Oreo Bars, Blondies, S’mores Bars, or Sugar Cookie Bars!
This easy peanut butter bars recipe was shared by a family-friend when I was a little girl and it’s been our huge family favorite ever since! They are completely addicting and you will want to eat the entire pan by yourself. Consider that my warning 
.
How to Make Peanut Butter Bars:
Make Batter: Cream together the butter, sugar and brown sugar. Add eggs, vanilla, and peanut butter then mix well. In a separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients then add dry ingredients to creamy mixture.
Bake: Press firmly into a greased 9×13” pan and bake at 350 degrees for 17-21 minutes. Do not over-bake! They will look just barely set in the center and they will harden as they cool. Allow to cool completely.
Spread Peanut Butter: Once cooled, spread a thin layer of peanut butter over the bars.
Top with Chocolate Glaze: Melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat then stir in cocoa. Remove from heat and add milk, powdered sugar and vanilla. Whisk until smooth, using electric beaters to get out any lumps, if needed. Spread chocolate frosting over the top of the bars.
Enjoy: Cut these homemade peanut butter bars then serve. Cover any leftovers then keep for a few days at room temperature, or in the fridge for up to a week.
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:
To Make Ahead: Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars will keep well for up to 1 week, stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
To Freeze: Cover well and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature before serving.
Consider trying these popular “bar” recipes:
- Snickerdoodle Bars
- Butterfinger Cookie Bars
- Peanut Butter Brownies
- Perfect Lemon Bars
- Butterscotch Bars
- Rice Krispie Treats
Follow me for more great recipes
Peanut Butter Bars
Ingredients
For the bars:
- 3/4 cup butter , room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (plus more for spreading over baked bars)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
For the chocolate frosting:
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons milk
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, sugar and brown sugar.
- Add the eggs, vanilla, and peanut butter and mix well.
- In a separate bowl mix together the dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients to creamy mixture.
- Press firmly into a greased 9×13” pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 17-21 minutes. Do not over-bake! They will look just barely set in the center, and they will harden as they cool. Allow to cool completely.
- Once cooled, spread a thin layer of peanut butter over the bars.
To make the chocolate frosting:
- Add butter to a small skillet over medium heat. Once melted, stir in cocoa.
- Remove from heat and add milk, powdered sugar and vanilla. Whisk until smooth, using electric beaters to get out any lumps, if needed. .
- Spread chocolate frosting over the top of the bars.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
I originally shared this recipe in April 2013. Updated February 2018, May 2021 (frosting recipe amended) and June 2023.
Follow Me
