Peanut Butter Bar Cookies with Fudge Frosting Recipe

Introduction

These Peanut Butter Bar Cookies are a delightful treat combining the rich, nutty flavor of peanut butter with a soft, chewy texture. Topped with a luscious fudge frosting, they make the perfect dessert for any occasion.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup (185g) creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup (111g) salted butter, softened
• ½ cup (111g) margarine
• 1 cup (246g) brown sugar
• ¼ cup (58g) granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 ½ cups (228g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (100g) old fashioned oats
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp baking soda

Fudge Frosting:

• ¾ cup (167g) salted butter, softened
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (120g) dutch processed cocoa powder
• 4 cups (428g) powdered sugar
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
• Milk to thin, if needed

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Step 2: In a bowl, cream together the peanut butter, salted butter, margarine, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until well combined.
3. Step 3: Add the egg and mix until combined. Then add the flour, oats, salt, and baking soda, mixing until a sticky dough forms.
4. Step 4: Divide the dough into 3 tablespoon portions. Roll each portion into a ball and place on a silicone or parchment lined cookie sheet.
5. Step 5: Bake for 11-13 minutes, until the cookies spread slightly and the edges turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
6. Step 6: While the cookies cool, prepare the fudge frosting by whipping the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth.
7. Step 7: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well before adding the next cup.
8. Step 8: Stir in the cocoa powder and vanilla extract until fully combined.
9. Step 9: Add milk, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired frosting consistency.
10. Step 10: Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large closed star tip and pipe in a zig-zag pattern over the cooled cookies. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use natural peanut butter for a more intense peanut flavor and less sweetness.
• For a nuttier texture, add chopped peanuts or chocolate chips to the dough.
• If margarine is not available, replace it with an equal amount of butter for a richer taste.
• To make the frosting dairy-free, substitute the butter and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives.

Storage

Store the Peanut Butter Bar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to one week or freeze for up to 3 months. If refrigerated, allow the cookies to return to room temperature before serving. Reheat briefly in the microwave for a soft texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Yes, crunchy peanut butter can be used if you prefer a bit of texture in your cookies, though the dough may be slightly less smooth.

Is it necessary to use both butter and margarine?

The combination helps create a balance of flavor and texture, but you can replace both with equal parts butter if preferred for a richer taste.

Peanut Butter Bar Cookies with Fudge Frosting Recipe

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Deliciously rich and chewy Peanut Butter Bar Cookies topped with a creamy, decadent fudge frosting. These bars combine the classic taste of peanut butter with the wholesome texture of oats and a luscious chocolate cream cheese frosting, perfect for satisfying any sweet tooth.

• Author: rami
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 13 minutes
• Total Time: 28 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 18 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Dough

• ¾ cup (185g) creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup (111g) salted butter, softened
• ½ cup (111g) margarine
• 1 cup (246g) brown sugar
• ¼ cup (58g) granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 ½ cups (228g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (100g) old fashioned oats
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp baking soda

Fudge Frosting

• ¾ cup (167g) salted butter, softened
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (120g) dutch processed cocoa powder
• 4 cups (428g) powdered sugar
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
• Milk, to thin (as needed)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
2. Cream Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the creamy peanut butter, salted butter, margarine, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
3. Add Egg and Dry Ingredients: Beat in the egg thoroughly. Then, fold in the all-purpose flour, old fashioned oats, salt, and baking soda until a sticky dough forms.
4. Shape Cookies: Divide the dough into portions of 3 tablespoons each. Roll each portion into a ball and place them spaced on a silicone or parchment lined cookie sheet.
5. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 11-13 minutes. The cookies will spread slightly, and the edges should start to turn golden brown when done.
6. Make Frosting: While the cookies cool, whip together the softened salted butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
7. Add Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated.
8. Flavor Frosting: Mix in the dutch processed cocoa powder and vanilla extract until the frosting is uniform in color.
9. Adjust Consistency: Add milk a teaspoon at a time until the frosting reaches a smooth, pipeable consistency.
10. Pipe Frosting: Transfer frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large closed star tip and pipe in a zig-zag pattern over the cooled cookies, starting from the top and working downward.
11. Serve and Enjoy: Allow frosting to set slightly before serving these delicious peanut butter bar cookies.

Notes

• Use margarine in place of butter for a slightly different texture and flavor.
• Make sure the butter, cream cheese, and peanut butter are softened for easier mixing.
• Don’t overbake the cookies; they continue to firm up as they cool.
• If frosting is too thick, add milk gradually to reach desired spreadability.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Keywords: peanut butter cookies, fudge frosting, baked cookies, oat cookies, chocolate frosting, creamy peanut butter bars