Description
These classic American peanut butter bars feature a spiced oat crust, a gooey peanut butter layer, and a rich chocolate glaze. Perfect for potlucks, holidays, or weeknight desserts, they balance textures and flavors with a fudge-like finish. Easy to make and customizable, they freeze well and improve overnight.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour (crust)
1/2 cup rolled oats (crust)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar (crust)
1/4 tsp salt (crust)
1 tsp baking soda (crust)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (crust)
1/2 cup butter, softened (crust)
1/2 cup butter, softened (peanut butter layer)
1 cup packed brown sugar (peanut butter layer)
1 cup all-purpose flour (peanut butter layer)
1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (topping)
1/2 cup butter (topping)
1 cup packed brown sugar (topping)
2 cups milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)
Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper
In a large bowl, mix flour, oats, brown sugar (crust), salt, baking soda, and cinnamon
Stir in softened butter until crumbly
Press half the crust mixture firmly into the pan
Bake for 10 minutes, then spread peanut butter layer over the crust
Bake 20-22 minutes until edges are golden
In a saucepan, melt remaining butter, brown sugar (topping), cocoa powder, and milk
Simmer until thickened, then stir in vanilla
Spread chocolate topping while warm
Cool completely before slicing and refrigerate for 1 hour prior to serving
Notes
Replace butter with non-dairy alternative for a dairy-free version
Storage: refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for 3 weeks
Bars become richer and fudgier after 24 hours in the fridge
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg