Peanut butter oatmeal bars are a soft, chewy dessert with a buttery oat base, topped with melted chocolate and a sweet peanut butter drizzle. They're sometimes called funeral bars and are known for staying moist and tender.
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with a hand mixer until creamy.
Add the granulated sugar and packed brown sugar to the butter and beat until well combined.
Add the peanut butter, milk, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is incorporated.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the quick oats, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
While the bars are baking, prepare the peanut butter drizzle. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup peanut butter, powdered sugar, and 2 tbsp milk. Mix with a fork until smooth.
Once the bars are done, remove them from the oven and immediately sprinkle the milk chocolate chips over the hot surface.
Let the chocolate chips sit for a few minutes to melt, then use an offset spatula to spread the melted chocolate into an even layer.
Drizzle the prepared peanut butter topping over the melted chocolate layer.
Allow the bars to cool completely before lifting them out of the pan and cutting into squares.
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Freeze in layers of parchment paper for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
These bars earned the nickname because they were traditionally brought to funeral receptions as an easy-to-eat comfort dessert that travels well and feeds a crowd.
Creamy peanut butter works best for a smooth texture. Natural peanut butter may make the bars slightly grainier, so mix it well and drain excess oil if needed.
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Avoid overbaking—remove when the edges are set but the center is still slightly soft.
Yes, double all ingredients and bake in a 9x13-inch pan instead of an 8x8-inch. Add 2–3 minutes to the baking time and check for doneness.
Substitute unsalted butter with dairy-free butter and milk with a plant-based milk. Use dairy-free chocolate for the topping if needed.
