Soft, chewy, and topped with a sweet vanilla glaze – these nostalgic bars are a peanut butter lover’s dream!
🛒 Ingredients
For the Bars
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup creamy peanut butter
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
For the Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 tbsp milk or cream
½ tsp vanilla extract
Optional Toppings
Sprinkles
Chopped peanuts
Mini chocolate chips
🧰 Tools You’ll Need
8×8-inch baking pan
Parchment paper or cooking spray
Mixing bowls
Hand mixer or stand mixer
Whisk & spatula
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat Oven
Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking pan with parchment paper or grease well.
2. Make the Dough
In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 3–4 minutes).
Add peanut butter and mix until smooth.
Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
3. Add Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
4. Spread in Pan
Transfer dough into prepared pan. Press into an even layer with a spatula or your hands.
5. Bake
Bake for 20–25 minutes or until edges are golden brown and center is just set.
Cool completely before glazing.
6. Prepare Glaze
Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a small bowl until smooth.
Adjust consistency by adding more sugar (thicker) or milk (thinner).
7. Glaze and Garnish
Drizzle glaze over cooled bars. Add sprinkles, peanuts, or chocolate chips while glaze is still wet.
🧁 Tips for Best Results
Don’t overbake – soft centers = chewy bars.
Chill the dough if it feels sticky before pressing into the pan.
Use natural peanut butter if you want a slightly less sweet, nuttier flavor.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve with milk, coffee, or even vanilla ice cream.
Cut into mini squares for party platters or bake sale treats.
🧊 Storage
Store in an airtight container at room temp for up to 4 days.
Freeze (without glaze) for up to 3 months. Thaw and glaze before serving.
🙋 FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
Yes! It adds texture and works beautifully.
Can I add chocolate chips to the dough?
Absolutely. Stir in ½ cup of mini chocolate chips before baking.
How can I make them gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend as a substitute for all-purpose flour.
What if my glaze is too thin?
Add more powdered sugar 1 tbsp at a time until thickened.
🔄 Recipe Variations
🍫 Chocolate-Peanut Butter Bars
Mix chocolate chips into the dough and drizzle with melted chocolate instead of glaze.
🌰 Nut-Free Option
Swap peanut butter for sunbutter or almond butter, and skip nuts on top.
🍯 Caramel Swirl Bars
Swirl caramel sauce into the dough before baking for an indulgent twist.
💭 Final Thoughts
These bars taste like the best part of your school lunchbox, upgraded for grown-up cravings. They’re soft, rich, and customizable with whatever you love. Whether you serve them for a party, pack them in a lunchbox, or keep them all to yourself (we won’t tell), they’re always a win.