Peanut Butter Fingers From Grandma's Recipe Box

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Peanut butter fingers land somewhere between a granola bar and a peanut butter cookie, the perfect play on the beloved combination of peanut butter and dark chocolate. This classic recipe was such a favorite, readers asked that we bring back the bars and share them with a new generation of cooks. With a chewy texture and plenty of crunch from chopped peanuts, their oat-y heartiness compliments the sweetness from the brown sugar and vanilla. We call for a good amount of salt inside the dough and also a sprinkling of flaky sea salt over the warm chocolate—all to make a complex sweet-and-salty combination that keeps you coming back for another bite.

Southern Living Peanut Butter Fingers cut and ready to serve
Photo:

Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

Active Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 10 mins
Servings:
12

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 tsp. kosher salt

  • 3/4 tsp. baking soda

  • 1/2 tsp. baking powder

  • 12 Tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature

  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 large egg yolk

  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract

  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

  • 2 1/2 cups rolled oats

  • 4 oz. dark chocolate, finely chopped

  • 1/2 cup peanuts, roughly chopped

  • 1/2 tsp. flaky sea salt

Directions

  1. Gather ingredients:

    Southern Living Peanut Butter Fingers ingredients

    Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

  2. Prepare pan and oven:

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a metal 9- x 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Line the bottom with a fitted rectangle of parchment paper. Set aside.

    Southern Living Peanut Butter Fingers preparing the pan

    Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

  3. Combine dry ingredients:

    In a bowl, stir together flour, kosher salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.

    Southern Living Peanut Butter Fingers stirring together the dry ingredients

    Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

  4. Make dough:

    In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until lightened in color, about 3 minutes. Add egg, yolk, and vanilla. Beat on medium-high until fluffy and fully combined, about 4 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl, add peanut butter, and mix for 1 minute to combine. Add flour mixture and incorporate on low until fully combined. Add oats and mix to combine.

    Southern Living Peanut Butter Fingers dough after mixing

    Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

  5. Bake dough base:

    Spread dough evenly in prepared baking pan. Bake until the edges have slightly browned and a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 22 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle surface with chopped chocolate.

    Southern Living Peanut Butter Fingers sprinkling the warm bars with chocolate

    Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

    Allow to sit for 2 minutes before using a spatula or spoon to spread melted chocolate evenly across surface.

    Southern Living Peanut Butter Fingers spreading the chocolate over the cookie bars

    Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

    Sprinkle chopped peanuts and flaky salt across melted chocolate. Refrigerate until chocolate has set and bars have cooled, about 30 minutes.

    Southern Living Peanut Butter Fingers sprinkling with peanuts

    Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

  6. Cut bars:

    Cut 4 long horizontal rows and 3 short vertical rows and use an offset spatula to remove the Peanut Butter Fingers from the pan.

    Southern Living Peanut Butter Fingers sliced and on a platter to serve

    Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

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