Peanut Butter Sugar Cookie Bars
Soft and chewy peanut butter sugar cookie bars baked in a pan with an optional creamy peanut butter frosting
PRINT PINServings 24
INGREDIENTS
Cookie Bars
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 and 1 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 2 tsp fine salt
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar for topping optional.
Peanut Butter Frosting Optional
- 1 2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk plus more as needed
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of salt.
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep and Dough
- Heat oven to 350 F and grease a 9 by 13 inch baking pan or line with parchment
- whisk flour baking powder baking soda and salt in a bowl
- beat butter peanut butter granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy
- beat in eggs and vanilla until smooth
- mix in dry ingredients just until combined and do not overmix.
Bake and Finish
- Press dough evenly into prepared pan and smooth the top then sprinkle with topping sugar if using
- bake until edges are lightly golden and center is set 18 to 22 minutes and do not overbake for chewy bars
- cool completely in pan before slicing.
Frosting Optional
- Beat butter and peanut butter until creamy then mix in powdered sugar vanilla salt and milk until smooth and spreadable
- spread over cooled bars and chill briefly for cleaner cuts.
Notes
1. Use creamy or crunchy peanut butter. Swap up to 1 2 cup chocolate chips into the dough if desired. For thicker bars use a 9 by 9 inch pan and bake slightly longer. If bars seem dry reduce bake time by 2 minutes and cool fully before cutting
Nutrition
Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g