1-Beat in 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 large egg, and maple extract until the mixture is creamy and smooth; this is where the magic of the peanut butter topping really starts to shine.

2-In a separate medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to combine the dry ingredients evenly.

3-Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined overmixing can make your bars tough, so keep it light!

4-Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish, making sure it’s compact for even baking, then pop it in the oven for 13-15 minutes until the edges turn a light golden brown. Once done, let it cool completely on a wire rack; patience here pays off for that creamy texture.

5-For the frosting, beat 1/2 cup softened butter and 3 cups confectioner’s sugar until smooth, then mix in 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup and 1 1/2 tablespoons milk until it’s creamy and spreadable. If it’s too thick, add an extra teaspoon of milk only if needed this keeps your frosted maple bars from becoming too runny.

6-Spread the frosting over the cooled bars and sprinkle generously with coarsely chopped peanuts before cutting into bars. For more ideas on similar treats, check out our easy baking recipes to explore other peanut butter treats that pair perfectly with this one.