Peanut Butter Lunch Lady Bars
These Peanut Butter Lunch Lady Bars are pure school-cafeteria nostalgia in dessert form.
Thick, soft peanut butter bars topped with a warm, creamy peanut butter frosting — just like the ones
wrapped in wax paper that everyone raced for at lunch. Simple ingredients, big flavor, and guaranteed smiles.
If you love classic American desserts, this recipe is a must. The bars bake up tender and rich,
while the frosting melts slightly into the surface, creating that iconic lunch-lady texture.
Perfect for bake sales, potlucks, holidays, or when you’re craving an old-fashioned treat.
Ingredients
For the Bars
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
For the Frosting
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 4 cups powdered sugar
How to Make Peanut Butter Lunch Lady Bars
-
Preheat the oven:
Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a large sheet pan
(approximately 13×18 inches) or line it with parchment paper. -
Mix the dry ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
Set aside. -
Combine wet ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, vanilla extract, and beaten eggs. -
Create the peanut butter base:
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and peanut butter together.
Stir constantly until the mixture reaches a gentle boil, then remove from heat. -
Bring the batter together:
Slowly stir the dry ingredients into the hot peanut butter mixture.
Add the milk and egg mixture, stirring until smooth and fully combined. -
Bake:
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for about
20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. -
Prepare the frosting:
In a small saucepan, melt the butter and peanut butter together over medium heat.
Bring just to a boil, then remove from heat. Stir in the milk, then gradually whisk in
the powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. -
Frost the bars:
Pour the warm frosting over the cooled bars and spread evenly with a spatula.
Let the frosting set at room temperature before slicing.
Tips & Variations
- For extra nostalgia, serve slightly warm so the frosting is extra soft.
- Add chopped peanuts on top for crunch.
- These bars freeze beautifully — just slice and store in an airtight container.
- Perfect for school events, holidays, and bake sales.