Sometimes two things just belong together, like chips and salsa, cookies and milk, pancakes and syrup, or bacon and eggs. Peanut butter and chocolate are another pair that is a match made in heaven! Like seriously…HEAVEN!! These Peanut Butter Bars are the ultimate combo of chocolate and peanut butter!

You all know how much we love peanut butter with a love that goes deeper than that little jar of creamy or crunchy nut bliss. If you haven’t heard our peanut butter story, you can read it here. We really do believe that peanut butter makes almost everything better.

Combine it with chocolate and the world is a happier and sweeter place!

I got this recipe from my dear friend, Kara. She made them for a baby shower that I attended and I knew immediately that the recipe had to be mine. They are devoured every time I take them anywhere now. SO. GOOD!!

Whenever I am at a party or gathering of some kind where there are desserts, I am drawn to dessert bars especially when they appear to include peanut butter and/or chocolate in any form. I’m like a moth to a flame. The new term should be like a Carrian to a dessert bar…seriously!

The Bar

There are two ingredients in these bars that make them different than most peanut bars out there. First, we use margarine. I know all you baking purists out there are going to start getting hives when you read this recipe and want to swap the margarine for butter or shortening. Trust me on this one! Margarine is just the only way to go here!

Second, the oatmeal gives these bars the best texture and deep full flavor. Plus, oatmeal is nothing but good for you! It helps with weight loss, reduces the risk of heart disease, lowers blood sugar levels, and is full of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. These bars are practically healthy with all that oatmeal in it. Okay, not really at all, but a girl can dream!

A photo of a single peanut butter bar topped with chocolate frosting sitting on a wooden table.

The Frosting

Margarine makes another appearance in the frosting, so you’re going to have to trust me again on this one. It just works! This is a creamy and rich chocolate frosting that you will just want to lather all over everything. You will definitely be licking the spatula on this one!

The frosting calls for 1/4 cup of scant cocoa. In baking a scant cup means that you don’t pack it in the cup and you don’t even fill the cup completely to the top.

A photo of a single peanut butter bar topped with chocolate frosting sitting on a piece of parchment paper.

What is Margarine?

Margarine is a substitute for butter that is made from vegetable oils or animal fats. It is a spread that can be used for flavoring, baking and cooking. It was first created in 1869 in France by Hippolyte Mège-Mouriès who had been challenged by Emperor Napoleon III to create a substitute for butter out of beef tallow for the armed forces and lower classes. We don’t use it often in our house, but certain recipes just need margarine! Like our famous caramel brownies from scratch!

A photo of a single peanut butter bar topped with chocolate frosting sitting on a white plate.

Best Spatula Ever

See that little spatula in the picture below? It is one of my favorite kitchen tools because it is the perfect size. It cuts the dessert bars or lasagna or casseroles that are just the right size for a serving. I just love it! We have a phenomenal kitchen store here in Utah called Orson Gygi. I could spend days and thousands of dollars there easily. That is where I got my perfect little spatula. Here is a very similar one. It should be in every kitchen!

A photo of a 9x13 pan with baked uncut peanut butter bars in it topped with chocolate frosting.

If you want to be the most popular person at your next neighborhood gathering or family potluck, make these peanut butter bars! They are just what peanut butter and chocolate should be!

Bar Dessert RECIPES

Looking for more bar dessert recipes? Try our Flourless Monster Cookie Bars, Maple Pecan Pie Bars, Peach Oatmeal Bars, Raspberry Lemon Bars, Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars, Classic Lemon Bars, Nutella Swirled Pumpkin Bars, Sugar Cookie Bars, or our No Bake S’mores Bars!

REMEMBER TO SUBSCRIBE TO our FREE Oh Sweet Basil NEWSLETTER AND RECEIVE EASY RECIPES DELIVERED INTO YOUR INBOX EVERY DAY!

When you try a recipe, please use the hashtag #ohsweetbasil on INSTAGRAM for a chance to be featured in our stories!  FOLLOW OH, SWEET BASIL ON FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER FOR ALL OF OUR LATEST CONTENT, RECIPES AND STORIES.

 

Peanut Butter Bars

4.23 from 40 votes
Servings: 24
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Description

Sometimes two things just belong together, like chips and salsa, cookies and milk, pancakes and syrup, or bacon and eggs. Peanut butter and chocolate are another pair that is a match made in heaven! Like seriously...HEAVEN!! These Peanut Butter Bars are the ultimate combo of chocolate and peanut butter!

Ingredients 

  • 3/4 Cup White Sugar
  • 3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 3/4 Cups Margarine *see note
  • 3/4 Cup Peanut Butter
  • 1 Egg, Large
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla
  • 3/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
  • 1 1/2 Cups Flour
  • 1 1/2 Cups Oats

Frosting

  • 3/4 Cups Margarine, room temperature
  • 1/4 Cup Cocoa, Scant
  • 1 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar, plus 1/3 Cup
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla
  • 1/4 Cup Milk

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare a 9x13 pan by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Cream sugar, margarine, and eggs until well blended
  • Add vanilla peanut butter, mix well.
  • Stir in dry ingredients, including oats.
  • Spread into the prepared 9x13 pan and bake for 22 minutes.
  • Cool for 30 minutes then spread with chocolate frosting. (recipe below)

For the Frosting

  • Mix powdered sugar, cocoa and margarine in a mixer.
  • Add vanilla and milk, mix until creamy.

Notes

This is HALF of Kara's recipe, but it should be doubled to go in a jelly roll pan. No, really, it's margarine. I know, butter or shortening are what you may be tempted to use, but I agree with my friend, Kara, it just works!
Bars can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 283kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 4gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 260mgPotassium: 114mgFiber: 2gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 522IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 1mg
Author: Sweet Basil
Course: Over 400 Baby Shower Food Ideas that Taste Amazing

A stack of delicious chocolate peanut butter bars with chocolate frosting