Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Fingers: The Secret to Perfection Every Time

I clearly remember the first time I entered the Elementary cafeteria.  It was a confusing, exhilarating experience to feel so small  surrounded by the many tables and tall ceilings, yet feel so grown up and big to be there at all, entrusted with my very own plastic tray.  I remember reverently grasping onto the tray that was handed me, nervous that I would spill, excited to do it myself.  I was ready!!

Side Note: Check out my post {here} for 10 tips to packing a lunch your child will love if they don’t like school lunch, like my Tyson (8).  He’s had school lunch one time, and never again.

As I glimpsed the tray being handed to the child behind me, I noticed that their tray had something written on the “milk” spot that mine did not: a smiley face.  I was instantly jealous, even though I didn’t know what it meant, and why mine did not have one.

Slowly, I made my way down the line, tray laden first with milk, then veggies, then main course, then dessert, feeling my nerves growing in anticipation of walking from the line to my table, sure I was going to send my food flying when I inevitably tripped.  However, my nerves were quickly replaced with jealousy when I heard the words, “Oh!  You have a Smiley!  You get an extra dessert today!”

From that day forward there was only one dessert that I wanted to get a Smiley for.  Sure, the dessert was always sweet and wonderful, but I held out my deepest hopes and most fervent prayers for just one: Peanut Butter Fingers.  Because my hopes were so high for that one dessert, the time I actually got it is seared into my memories forever more.  I got the Smiley more than once (with seven years at one school, the odds have to be in my favor a few times, right?!), but it was the one time it was my coveted Peanut Butter Finger that is my fondest lunch room memory from Elementary.

It is probably more special than when I won 2nd place in the entire school’s Spelling B when I was just 8 years old!

Now that you know my love of this amazing confection, it will come as no surprise to learn that I actually cried when my mom told me she had the recipe, yet had never made them.  True, I hadn’t told her all about the dessert of my Elementary dreams, but she was my mother– she should have known!  All mothers magically know exactly what their kids love and want, don’t they?

Armed with a recipe that practically glowed -because it came straight from Heaven, I tell you- I made them for the first time the summer after sixth grade.  And I have made them multiple times a year since.  Therein lies the Secret to this Delectable Dessert!  I could read a recipe at 12, but I was too impatient to follow all of the directions, so I measured out all ingredients into a large mixing bowl, turned the mixer on slow, and stood back, giddy.  What’s the big whoop about creaming butter and sugar together first?  Why would I add one egg at a time, when adding them both at the same time is so much faster?  Why would I combine all dry ingredients and add slowly?  Don’t they have to go in sometimes, so why not just add them all now!

I have since learned the importance of following the directions for best results, but I have never changed how I make my Peanut Butter Fingers.  Never.  I perfected it that first time, why jinx myself trying to get all wannabe professional chefy?!  So, I dump and deliver a perfect dessert every. single. time!  Let’s get started!

**It should be noted that my daughter, Shelby (11), makes this dessert for me now.  She made them for me today with her own sweet hands.*

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup white granulated sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups oats
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup peanut butter, plus 2 Tbsp. for optional garnish
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 1/3 tsp. baking soda

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Add all ingredients into a large mixing bowl, turn the mixer on slow, stand back and smile in anticipation for the Perfect Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Fingers!

Once the dough forms into a ball, smash it into a jelly-roll pan.

Bake  for 10-15 minutes, or until the cookie is a light, golden brown.  I don’t think there has ever been a time that I went the entire 15 minutes.  I would suggest maybe 12 minutes.

Allow to fully cool before frosting with a chocolatey goodness that is sure to make you sigh.

FROSTING INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 4 Tbsp. milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup baking cocoa powder
• 1/8 tsp. salt.

INSTRUCTIONS

Add all ingredients in the same mixing bowl you used for the sheet cookies (minimal cleanup– bonus!), turn the mixer on slow, stand back and compulsively swallow in anticipation for your first bite.

Once the cookie is cooled, spread the chocolatey goodness over the peanut buttery perfection.

This next step is completely optional, but we think it gives it an extra whimsical factor.

Warm 2 Tbsp. peanut butter in a sealable baggie.  Snip a tiny portion out of one of the edges.

And swirl with abandon.

Cut into skinny rectangle “fingers,” or squares, which is what I always do.  You see, if they are skinny  “fingers,” I have an easier time taking bite after bite after bite, finger after finger after finger, since I don’t have to worry about anything getting on my cheeks as I shovel them in.  But if I cut them into squares, I have to be conscious of how fast I inhale one after the other, giving my stomach time to scream, “Stop, before you loathe yourself!”  And then I have just one more in secret.

I hope you enjoy a walk down memory lane!  Enjoy these other Childhood Goodies!

• Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars
• Edible Peanut Butter Playdough
• M&M Cookies
• Peanut Butter Oreo Truffles

~Steph