This is the Best Peanut Butter Bar recipe you will love to make and use all the time. Typically, all of the ingredients are in our pantry and the refrigerator. You never have to go to the store to make this one for a party at the last minute, that’s for sure. Is Peanut Butter a Good Survival Food?
If you’re like me, you’re a peanut butter lover. It isn’t just young kids who love peanut butter and jam sandwiches! Most of us don’t think of peanut butter desserts, but there are a ton of them.
Best Peanut Butter Bar Recipe
This recipe makes a large cookie sheet batch, but you can also cut it in half or freeze portions for later when you feel like a peanut butter treat, for instance, at midnight one night. When we make these, they’re always a hit at every gathering we take them to. Who doesn’t love chocolate, right? These are easy to make, have a soft moist texture, and the bar melts in your mouth with yummy sweetness! In Utah, we don’t make small batches of anything, just so you know.
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I still remember tasting one of these bars cut in a square shape and asking for the recipe about 30 years ago. I believe the recipe was from a grade school kitchen staff member who shared it, and we cut the recipe way down, of course. If you have a family reunion to attend this summer, you may want to make these because they are fairly cheap to make and bake up quickly. The bonus is you can make them the day before, and they are ready to take covered with foil or plastic wrap. Easy peasy.
Peanut Butter Bar Recipe:
Peanut Butter Bar Recipe
Course DessertCuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes minutes
Total Time 20 minutes minutes
Servings 18 people
Author Linda Loosli
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2/3 cup peanut butter
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups flour
- 4 cups oatmeal
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 2-3 cups chocolate chips sweet chocolate or semi-sweet These will be sprinkled and spread over the cooked pan of peanut butter bars, so set these aside.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to (350°F) = (176°C) degrees.
- Grease a large cookie sheet ( approx. 12 inches by 16 inches).
- Cream the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar, then add the eggs and continue to cream the mixture.
- Add the rest of the ingredients (except the chocolate chips) and blend until smooth.
- Spread the peanut butter mixture onto the greased cooked cookie and bake for 10 minutes.
- After baking, turn the oven OFF, and quickly sprinkle the chocolate chips over the bars and return the pan to the oven to melt the chocolate.
- After 2 minutes remove the pan again and smooth the chocolate chips evenly across the peanut butter bars.
- Let them set up overnight before cutting, preferably.
- You can also place the pan in the refrigerator to set the mixture quicker after letting it cool for a few minutes.
- Once the chocolate chips and the peanut butter bars are set, you can cut them into squares.
Can I use natural peanut butter instead of regular peanut butter?
Yes, you can use natural peanut butter in this recipe. Remember that natural peanut butter tends to be runnier than regular peanut butter, so your bars might be a bit softer. You can try to chill the bars for a longer period to help them set.
Can I substitute almond butter or another nut butter for peanut butter?
Feel free to substitute almond butter, cashew butter, or any other nut butter you prefer. Just keep in mind that it may slightly alter the flavor and texture of the bars.
You can also use a variety of peanut butter choices, from creamy peanut butter to crunchy. The flavor of the nuts and chocolate really comes through if you heat the bar in your microwave before chowing down!
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free oats and ensuring that any other ingredients you use are certified gluten-free.
Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?
Yes, you can use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats in this recipe. However, the texture of the bars may be slightly different, as quick oats are more finely ground.
How should I store these peanut butter bars?
Store the peanut butter bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. You can also freeze them for more extended storage. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. I wouldn’t leave them out at room temperature too long.
Can I add chocolate chips or other mix-ins to these bars?
Absolutely! Chocolate chips, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or dried fruit would all be delicious additions to these bars. Just stir them into the mixture in your large bowl before pressing the mixture into the 12-inch pan. I like semi-sweet chocolate chips for most of my treats calling for chocolate chips. The different layers of ingredients add to the variety of flavors available, depending on what you decide to add.
More Tips
My Favorite things:
- Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker’s Half Sheet
- OXO Good Grips Silicone Cookie Spatula
- Prepare Your Family for Survival
- Bellemain Stainless Steel Measuring Cup Set, 6 Piece
- Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons, 7-piece set
Final Word
I love sharing old recipes our family has used for many years for Sunday dinners, family reunions, neighborhood get-togethers, and church functions. These could easily be made after a disaster to share with a neighborhood! May God bless our country and all the families living worldwide. May God Bless this World, Linda
Copyright Images: Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars AdobeStock_601828026 By Brent Hofacker
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