Lunch Lady Bars

Growing up, one of my favorite treats we got from school lunch was these YUMMY peanut butter, oatmeal delights. I later learned that Lunch Lady Bars is what they ended up being called. My brother Nathan asked me at one point to make them as they were one of his favorites as well. I had to find a recipe. They are so good.

PREP TIME              COOK TIME                TOTAL TIME

25 MINUTES            15 MINUTES                40 MINUTES

Ingredients

1 cup butter softened

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar firmly packed

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2½ cups peanut butter divided

2 cups old fashioned oats

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

Frosting

½ cup butter softened

¼ cup milk

2 teaspoons vanilla

4 Tablespoons cocoa powder

3 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar and brown sugar together.

Add vanilla, eggs, and 1 cup of the peanut butter; stir to combine.

Add oats, flour, baking soda and salt and mix until well combined.

Spray a baking sheet (half sheet jelly roll pan that is approximately 17.8 x 12.8 x 1 inch) with nonstick cooking spray and spread out dough in an even layer.

Bake for 15 minutes and remove from oven.

Drop remaining peanut butter (about 1 1/2 cups) by very small spoonfuls (we use a baby spoon) all over on top of warm bars. Let set for about 5-6 minutes and gently spread when peanut butter has begun to melt. It will spread easily when the peanut butter has softened on the warm bars. Don't try to spread it while still thick.

Then let the bars cool until peanut butter has set up.

While cooling, mix together frosting ingredients with a hand mixer until smooth and spread on top of bars.

Cut into bars and serve.