Mocha Peanut Square Bars
Mocha Peanut Square Bars are a classic dessert recipe with a piece of spongy homemade angel food cake spread with icing and coated in chopped peanuts. The combination of sweet and salty makes for an amazing treat!
- Prep30 minutes
- Cook30 minutes
- Total1 hr
- Serves18
Mocha Bars
We grew up with these Mocha Peanut Square Bars as a special treat on a rare occasion. I think that might be part of the reason they are so beloved. When you only get a special treat like these Mocha Bars on a rare occasion, it makes them all the better when you do get to enjoy them!
The reason we don’t get these on a regular basis, is because they do take a little bit more work than your typical dessert like a Caramel Oatmeal Bars or Pumpkin Cake Bars. As any of you who have ever tried these before know, the work is most certainly worth it though.
You can often find Mocha Bars in the bakery section of grocery stores, but rarely are they near as good as the homemade version. For those of you local to me, I do suggest you give them at try at Beren’s Grocery Store in Milbank, SD. They are one of the best store bought bars I have ever tried!
Peanut Squares
Instead of using a regular angle food cake pan, this cake is baked in a 9×13 pan. This allows you to cut out nice even squares to make into bars. I’m honestly not sure why they are called Mocha Bars, but is just what my grandmother always called them. Maybe it’s a midwest thing? I see that lots of people these days refer to them as peanut squares.
Homemade angel food is denser than the 99 cent box mix version you can get at the store. There is nothing wrong with the box mix, as it is wonderful in it’s own right. I actually love it for quick and easy recipes like this Light Berry Angel Food Cake.
For these peanut squares, that cake won’t hold up to the icing and peanuts though. A denser homemade cake is required and is the perfect balance to the crunchy peanuts.
Old Fashioned Peanut Square Recipe
In my opinion, the best dessert recipes are the old fashioned ones from our grandmothers. Whether it is a summer treat like this Marshmallow Peach Icebox Dessert or a Christmas classic like Microwave Peanut Brittle. There is something about enjoying the same go-to recipes during the holidays. This Old Fashioned Peanut Square Recipe is no exception!
That certainly doesn’t mean I am going to stop developing new recipes and whipping up fun twists on desserts like this Salted Dark Chocolate Tart!
More old fashioned dessert recipes from Grandma!
Pumpkin Pie
Snowball Cookies
- Old Fashion Sour Cream Cut-Out Cookies
- Walnut Thumbprint Cookies
- Apple Bundt Cake
- Toasted Coconut Straw Hat Cookies
- Glazed Apple Pie Bars
- Soft Molasses Cookies
More recipes
See the category
Roasted Squash and Goat Cheese Pasta
While perusing the grocery store aisles for something to strike my fancy, in my typical fashion before dinner, I ran across some cubed squash and red peppers. It immediately made me crave the butternut squash ravioli at our local Italian restaurant that I love. I wasn’t about to make homemade ravioli and squash ravioli aren’t
Ham and Goat Cheese Quiche
Ham and Goat Cheese Quiche is an easy and delicious breakfast recipe using leftover ham, soft chèvre goat cheese, Parmesan and green onions. The cheesy flavors in this classic dish make for an impressive brunch idea! Ham & Cheese Quiche Recipe I used to be intimidated by the idea of making quiches until I started making
Light Taco Rice Bake
Light Taco Rice Bake is an easy and hearty casserole full of lean ground beef, brown rice, corn and cottage cheese for a protein packed dinner that tastes amazing and satisfies your Mexican food craving! Light Taco Rice Bake I don’t know what it is, but it seems like Mexican dishes are my go-to for
Easy Rice Recipes Using Pantry Staples
A variety of entrees and dinners using rice and other basic pantry staples. If you are looking to make an easy and delicious recipe with ingredients already in your kitchen, we have got you covered! Easy Rice Recipes In light of recent events, we are sharing this great list of easy rice recipes for anyone
Citrus Poppy Seed Dressing
Citrus Poppy Seed Dressing is a light and healthy vinaigrette perfect on fresh summer salads! Citrus Poppy Seed Dressing I was originally introduced to poppy seed dressing at a restaurant many years ago on a spinach, strawberry and bacon salad. It was pretty darn good, but the dressing was a bit heavy and loaded with
Boozy Hot Cocoa Bomb Valentine Gift Idea
If you are looking for the perfect Valentine gift idea for him or her, these Boozy Hot Cocoa Bombs are the perfect thoughtful gift! It takes all the fun of hot chocolate bombs and adds a spiked adult twist with alcohol.
Light Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Light Apple Cider Vinaigrette is an easy and healthy dressing recipe perfect on any salad! The simple but delicious combination of honey, olive oil, apple cider vinegar and Dijon mustard will be your go-to homemade dressing. Light Apple Cider Vinaigrette Homemade salad dressings may seem daunting, but they are truly so easy and inexpensive to
Sweet Roll Orange Knots
Sweet Roll Orange Knots are an easy and delicious breakfast idea that have all the flavors and light airy texture of a homemade dough, but are made easy with store-bought sweet roll dough!