I love remembering the “good old days” of high school. One of the best things was getting school pizza and these peanut butter bars on the menu.
Showing My Age
I’m never going to say how old I actually am, but I have been out of school for over 20 years now. I know I don’t remember a lot of things that happened, but some aspects are etched into my memory. I remember good times with friends. Getting into trouble was a big part of my high school career also. Yes, I was a light bit of a rebel.
I love remembering the good times. Granted there were awful times too. We lost classmates to tragic accidents. We watched the onset of the Gulf War. Our generation had our share of incidents to overcome. But we did.
Smells (Especially of Food) Trigger Nostalgia
A number of behavioral studies have demonstrated that smells trigger more vivid emotional memories and are better at inducing that feeling of “being brought back in time” than images.
Psychology Today
Completely explains why we have such intense memories associated not only with food, but by certain scents. I know my Grandma always wore a specific perfume. Each time I smell it, I think of her.
Vintage School Cafeteria Peanut Butter Bars
What is really hilarious about this recipe is that the first time I made these for my husband, I triggered exactly the same memories in him that I have.
We went to the same high school. I just happened to be a freshman when he was a senior.
We both can remember the same trays, the rectangle school pizza, buttered corn, and these yummy Peanut Butter Bars on the tray. His first reaction when he bit into one was, “Wow! That takes me back!”
Peanut Butter Bars
School Peanut Butter Bars
Equipment
- Jelly Roll pan
Ingredients
- 1 c butter softened
- 1 1/4 c peanut butter
- 1 1/4 c sugar
- 1 1/4 c brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 2 1/2 c flour
- 1 tsp soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
To Make Frosting
- 1 batch homemade vanilla frosting *can use 1 store-bought canister instead*
- 3 tbsp peanut butter
Instructions
- Mix together all above
- spread in jelly roll pan
- Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes
- -it won’t look quite done – but will set up as it cools
- Cool completely.
- Mix together frosting and peanut butter.
- Spread frosting over cooled peanut butter bars.
- Cut into 24 squares & serve.
Try out a batch for yourself and see what you think!
