Description
Classic Peanut Butter Lunch Lady Cookie Bars are a deliciously chewy and sweet treat combining creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate chips, baked to golden perfection. These bars make a perfect snack or dessert, loved for their nostalgic flavor and simple preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Mix-ins
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking your cookie bars evenly.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Mix until the texture is smooth and creamy, creating a well-blended base.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs and vanilla extract into the peanut butter mixture, stirring thoroughly to achieve a uniform batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This will ensure even distribution of leavening agents and seasoning.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently to combine without overmixing, which can toughen the bars.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Carefully fold the chocolate chips into the batter to evenly distribute them throughout the dough.
- Prepare Baking Pan: Grease a baking pan to prevent sticking, then spread the batter evenly across the pan’s surface to ensure uniform thickness.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Cut: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing them into squares for serving. This cooling step helps the bars set properly.
Notes
- Use creamy peanut butter for a smoother texture.
- Make sure not to overbake to keep the bars chewy.
- For a nut-free option, substitute sunflower seed butter.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- For added texture, consider adding chopped peanuts or oats.
