Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars Recipe - a childhood lunchroom favorite that is a must for the peanut butter lover in your life. Butter, brown sugar, peanut butter, salt, egg whites, apple sauce, vanilla extract, flour, baking powder, powdered sugar, corn syrup, and milk. Chewy, peanut buttery, and delicious! Great recipe for a potluck or party.
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a half-sheet pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together unsalted butter, brown sugar, peanut butter, and salt. Mix on medium speed until smooth. Add egg whites, applesauce, and vanilla extract to the batter and mix for 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
In a medium bowl, combine all-purpose flour and baking powder. Slowly add the flour mixture to the batter and mix for 1 minute.
Spread peanut butter batter into the prepared pan. Bake in a preheated oven until set and golden brown. Remove from oven and cool.
In a large bowl, cream together powdered sugar and peanut butter with a hand mixer. Add corn syrup, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth
Spread glaze over the slightly cooled peanut butter bars. Let cool completely before cutting into squares.
Notes:
Can use creamy peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter. It just depends on if your desired texture for the bars.
Feel free to add some chocolate chips to the bars. YUM!
Can substitute chocolate frosting for the peanut butter frosting.
I garnish the bars with chopped honey roasted peanuts.
I store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Can I freeze Peanut Butter Bars? Yes. Prepare the bars and cool completely at room temperature. Cut into bars and keep in the pan. Place the entire pan into the freezer for one hour to set the frosting. Individually wrap the bars in plastic wrap and then place them inside a freezer-safe container. The bars will keep 3 to 4 months.