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Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars

Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars

  • Author: Eric
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 bars 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

These easy Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars bring a nostalgic, chewy, and rich peanut butter flavor that is perfect for lunchboxes, snacks, or quick desserts. Made with simple pantry staples and natural ingredients, these bars feature a soft texture with a lightly crisp golden top and are highly customizable to suit your tastes.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup plant-based butter
  • 1 cup natural creamy peanut butter (plant-based)
  • 3/4 cup natural brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup natural white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (natural)
  • 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (natural)

Optional Add-ins

  • 1/2 cup natural peanut butter chips
  • Chopped nuts or seeds (optional)
  • Dried cranberries or raisins (optional)
  • Ground cinnamon or nutmeg (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a baking pan with parchment paper to ensure your bars come out cleanly and easily.
  2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside for later.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream the plant-based butter, natural peanut butter, natural brown sugar, and natural white sugar until smooth and light. Stir in the apple cider vinegar, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
  4. Bring It All Together: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and fold gently until a thick, sticky dough forms. If using peanut butter chips or other add-ins, fold them in now.
  5. Bake Until Golden: Spread the batter evenly into your prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean with a few crumbs attached.
  6. Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, cut into bars or squares and serve.

Notes

  • Use creamy natural peanut butter for a smoother, chewier bar.
  • Fold the flour in gently to keep the bars tender and avoid toughness.
  • Brown sugar adds moisture and depth, while white sugar helps with the crust texture.
  • Watch the baking time closely after 20 minutes to prevent drying out.
  • Allow the bars to cool fully before cutting for cleaner slices.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Sodium: 120mg
  • Fat: 13g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: peanut butter bars, natural peanut butter, chewy peanut butter snack, plant-based dessert, lunchbox treat, gluten-free peanut butter bars

Find it online: https://smartmealsguide.com/lunch-lady-peanut-butter-bars/