🧾 Ingredients
For the Bars:
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1 cup unsalted butter, melted
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1 cup creamy peanut butter
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1 cup brown sugar (packed)
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1 cup granulated sugar
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3 large eggs
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2 tsp vanilla extract
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1/2 tsp salt
For the Frosting:
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1/2 cup unsalted butter
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1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
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6 tbsp milk (plus more if needed)
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4 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
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3 cups powdered sugar (sifted for smoothness)
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1 tsp vanilla extract
🥣 Instructions
1. Make the Bars
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch pan or line with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, mix melted butter and peanut butter until smooth.
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Add both sugars and beat until combined.
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Mix in eggs and vanilla until smooth.
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Stir in flour and salt just until combined — don’t overmix.
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Spread the thick batter evenly in the prepared pan.
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Bake for 25–30 minutes or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
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Let cool slightly (about 10–15 minutes) before frosting.
2. Make the Frosting
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In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and peanut butter together.
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Whisk in milk and cocoa powder until smooth.
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Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and powdered sugar. Whisk or beat until smooth. If it’s too thick, add a splash of milk.
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Pour the warm frosting over the still-warm bars and spread evenly.
3. Cool & Slice
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Let bars cool completely to set the frosting before cutting into squares.
🍫 Tips & Variations
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Add chopped peanuts or mini chocolate chips to the batter for extra texture.
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Use crunchy peanut butter if you like a bit of bite.
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These freeze beautifully—just layer with wax paper and store in an airtight container.
Want to scale this for a crowd or make a no-bake version? Let me know!