Chocolate-Frosted Peanut Butter Cookie Bars {Aka: School Lunch Peanut Butter Fingers}

By mitzzy

Don’t say I didn’t warn you. One of my favorite things about this recipe is that it makes a ton (they’re baked in a large sheet pan). That can be both dangerous and helpful. Mostly helpful. If I have to feed a crowd, this is my go-to. They honestly are SO fast. The dough comes together in about 5 minutes and they only bake for about 10. And then you can feed a gazillion (okay slight exaggeration) people when you’re done and they will all love you

Ingredients

• Cookie Base
• 1 cup real butter (2 sticks) at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoons table salt
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 3 cups quick oats
• Fudge Frosting
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon table salt
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1/3 cup boiling water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a rimmed cookie sheet (standard half-sheet pan) lightly with non-stick spray and set aside.

Cream butter and sugars for 2-3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add peanut butter and vanilla and beat until combined. Add eggs, one at a time and beat between each addition. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt and add mixture to dough. Beat to combine. Add oats and mix until incorporated. Press dough into prepared pan into a flat layer. Bake for about 10-12 minutes. The center should be puffed and set, but still soft.

While crust is baking, prepare frosting. Whisk together powdered sugar, cocoa powder and salt. Add butter (make sure it’s soft!), boiling water, and vanilla. Beat until smooth and glossy.

When cookie crust is done baking, if desired drizzle about 3/4 cups melted (just nuke it in the microwave) peanut butter on top and then spread on frosting. Let cool (or leave slightly warm) and cut into squares to serve. If also desired (and what’s not to be desired here?) serve with vanilla ice cream and hot fudge. Moan while eating.