Double Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Rich and chewy peanut butter oatmeal bars with a creamy peanut butter frosting. So easy and yummy–perfect for all the peanut butter lovers!
We are huge peanut butter lovers at our house. Peanut butter cookies are right up there with chocolate chip cookies in terms of requests, but any treat with peanut butter is always a huge hit. These Double Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars have the richest peanut butter flavor, and the oats deepen that flavor even more. Often we will pair chocolate frosting with anything peanut butter, but you have to try the peanut butter frosting–it’s so creamy and nutty.
I’ve had this recipe for many years, but it had been awhile since I last made them. That was a mistake! I had forgotten how irresistible they are, and my family gobbled them up. They’re now up there on our favorites list!
Double Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
You will love how easy these are to make. They use simple, basic ingredients that you’ll most likely have in your pantry, which means you can make them anytime! These bars are great for little helpers, and also for beginning bakers. Mix them up in just a few minutes, and since they don’t need that long in the oven, you’ll have them ready in no time.
I adore a cooked frosting–one made on the stove. They’re often used for Texas sheet cake recipes, and I make a chocolate version often too. But this peanut butter frosting is so nutty and rich–be careful, you’ll want to eat it off the spoon. But if you really want to use chocolate, this one is the best…use the chocolate frosting from this recipe, but cut it in half.)
Perfect for school lunches, parties, gatherings, or wrapping up to give to a friend…they will be a hit however you serve them.
I like to eat them warm, but you can also let them completely cool before cutting and serving. You can also freeze these bars for eating later, if you can resist finishing off the pan!
freezing directions
- Cut bars into squares after they’ve cooled.
- Place in a freezer safe container lined with wax paper, separating each layer with wax paper as well.
Double Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 cups quick oats
Peanut Butter Frosting
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2-4 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter baking dish and set aside.
- Mix softened butter, both sugars, and peanut butter in a large mixing bowl. (You can use crunchy or smooth peanut butter.) Add the eggs and vanilla and combine thoroughly. Add the flour, oats, and baking powder, then mix well.
- Press batter into the prepare baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes, or until a very light brown. (Don't overbake.) Let cool.
Peanut Butter Frosting
- While the bars are baking, add 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 c. peanut butter to a large saucepan. Melt over medium heat, stirring until smooth, then remove from stove. Add 2-3 tablespoons milk, then slowly add the powdered sugar. If I's too thick, add a bit more milk until the desired consistency. Mix well to get out all the lumps.
- Spread the frosting over the cake, spreading evenly to the edges.
Recipe Equipment
