If peanut butter is your love language, this recipe is about to steal your heart. With the perfect balance of sweet and salty, gooey, and just a little crunchy, these peanut butter bars are here to satisfy your every craving.
Whether you need a midnight sweet treat or something to wow your friends, this recipe brings the magic every single time.
Why You’ll Love these Peanut Butter Bars
- Easy: Only a few pantry ingredients and 6 simple steps until they’re ready to eat.
- Delicious: The perfect combination of sweet and salty.
- Versatile: Great for an afternoon snack, or a tasty addition to your party’s desert bar.
- No-Bake: No need to turn on the oven or spend too much time in the kitchen!
What You’ll Need:
Ingredients:
- Unsalted butter
- Light brown sugar
- Powdered sugar
- Salt
- Vanilla extract
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Peanut butter
- Milk chocolate chips
Equipment:
- Mixing Bowl(s)
- Whisk/Mixing spoon
- 9×13 baking dish
- Parchment paper
- Spatula
How to Make Peanut Butter Bars
To make things even easier for you, I created a simple photo guide below. For all measurements and a more detailed guide, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
Step 1 – In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, light brown sugar, powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla.
Step 2 – Add the graham cracker crumbs and 1 cup peanut butter, and stir until well combined.
Step 3 – Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper, and press the peanut butter mixture into the bottom of the dish. Smooth out evenly and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Step 4 – When the peanut butter layer is set, add the milk chocolate chips and 2 tbsp. peanut butter to a microwave safe bowl. Heat in 30 second increments, stirring well between increments, until chocolate is melted and smooth.
Step 5 – Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter mixture and smooth out evenly with a spatula. Refrigerate for at least 1.5 hours, or until set. Cut into bars.
Essential Tips:
Don’t skip these tips – read them before starting to avoid any potential mistakes.
- Make sure your peanut butter is at room temperature before mixing for smoother consistency.
- Stir the chocolate frequently while microwaving to avoid scorching. (Learn more here)
- Don’t skip the parchment paper. It makes all the difference when removing the bars to cut them.
- To get the cleanest slices: Allow the bars to fully set in the refrigerator, and warm your knife in hot water between each cut. (Don’t forget to wipe down the knife with a paper towel after it’s been in the water.)
Frequently Asked Questions:
How to Store these Peanut Butter Bars
Here’s how to keep leftover peanut butter bars tasting their best:
- Leftovers: Place leftover peanut butter bars in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- To Freeze: You can also freeze the bars for up to 2 months. Wrap each bar in plastic wrap and then freeze on a pan until solid. Place frozen wrapped bars in an airtight freezer container or freezer bag. When ready to enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before eating.
If you liked my peanut butter bars, you’re going to love my Double Chocolate Chip Cookies. Bursting with chocolately flavor, these cookies also stay soft for days.
Or you can check out my other desserts recipes here.
Peanut Butter Bars
Make the best homemade peanut butter bars! A simple mix of peanut butter, chocolate, and love. Quick, delicious, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 3 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup peanut butter + 2 tbsp.
- 11 ounces milk chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, light brown sugar, powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla.
- Add the graham cracker crumbs and 1 cup peanut butter, and stir until well combined.
- Line a 9x13 inch baking dish with parchment paper, and press the peanut butter mixture into the bottom of the dish. Smooth out evenly and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- When the peanut butter layer is set, add the milk chocolate chips and 2 tbsp. peanut butter to a microwave safe bowl. Heat in 30 second increments, stirring well between increments, until chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter mixture and smooth out evenly with a spatula
- Refrigerate for at least 1.5 hours, or until set. Cut into bars.
Notes
Remember, the step-by-step photos and FAQ in the recipe post are there to help you if you feel stuck at any point.
- Make sure your peanut butter is at room temperature before mixing for smoother consistency.
- Stir the chocolate frequently while microwaving to avoid scorching. (Learn more here)
- Don't skip the parchment paper. It makes all the difference when removing the bars to cut them.
- To get the cleanest slices: Allow the bars to fully set in the refrigerator, and warm your knife in hot water between each cut. (Don't forget to wipe down the knife with a paper towel after it's been in the water.)
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