Peanut Butter Lunch Lady Cookie Bars
Easy, one-bowl peanut butter cookie bars with a dense, chewy texture and loaded with chocolate chips. The ultimate nostalgic dessert ready in under an hour
Ingredients
Melted Base:
- ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter {113 grams}
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter {270 grams}
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed {220 grams}
- ½ cup granulated sugar {100 grams}
Wet Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour {240 grams}
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Mix-In:
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips {270 grams}
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare & Preheat
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Step 2: Make the Melted Base
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Let cool for 5 minutes.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
- Whisk the eggs and vanilla extract into the cooled peanut butter mixture until completely smooth and shiny.
Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients
- Add the flour, baking soda, and salt directly to the saucepan. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula just until the flour disappears and a thick batter forms.
Step 5: Fold in Chips & Bake
- Fold in 1 ¼ cups of the chocolate chips. Spread batter into the prepared pan, pressing into an even layer. Sprinkle remaining ¼ cup chips on top. Bake for 22-26 minutes, until edges are golden and center looks soft.
Step 6: Cool Completely
- Let the pan cool on a wire rack until completely cool (at least 2 hours) before lifting out with parchment and cutting into bars.
Notes
For best texture, use standard creamy peanut butter, not natural. Do not overbake; the bars will set as they cool. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.