Peanut Butter Bars Recipe
Peanut Butter Bars are so creamy, decadent, and topped with a velvety chocolate layer. This is a no-bake dessert that is made only with six ingredients!
I’ve got a ton of no-bake recipes in my blog because I adore desserts, but I’m not in the mood to bake all the time. For those days, my Strawberry Tiramisu, Devil’s Food Cake Truffles, and Butterscotch Banana Trifle hit all the right spots!
No-bake Creamy Peanut Butter Bars
Peanut Butter Bars feature the most delicious combo ever— chocolate and peanut butter! They cannot be easier to make, and you don’t even have to turn on the oven. This no-bake dessert is super fudgy, chocolatey, nutty, and amazing with hot chocolate or cold milk.
Aside from being a yummy treat, it’s also loaded with protein for an energy-boosting snack. It’s perfect for making ahead because it freezes really well.
Also, I recommend making a double batch— one for enjoying, and another so you always have a stash of these incredible treats on hand. The best part about them? They are made with only 6 simple ingredients, and a few minutes away from pure peanut butter heaven!
Peanut Butter Bars Ingredients:
- Butter: Adds rich, buttery notes to the bars while helping the ingredients blend smoothly together.
- Graham cracker crumbs: Essential for texture and to give the structure of the bar.
- Peanut butter: Our star ingredient! We use PB for both the base and the topping. Processed ones like Skippy or Jif are ideal because they’re creamy and not oily.
- Powdered sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the base come together.
- Chocolate: Can’t have PB without chocolate! Use good-quality, because it will really stand out.
- Nuts: These bars look gorgeous with crushed nuts on that chocolate topping, and that nutty crunch is lovely. but feel free to skip if you prefer a smooth surface.
How to make the best Peanut Butter Bars?
- Prepare the pan. An 8×8 or 9×9 pans make beautiful thick bars. Cut out enough foil or parchment paper to cover the bottom and sides, with a couple of inches hanging over the sides.
- Crush the crackers. Pulse the Grahams in a food processor or crush with a rolling pin.
- Make the base. Then, melt the PB and the butter together until smooth. Next, beat the sugar in completely. Finish the base by folding in the crumbs. Transfer to the pan and smooth out the top.
- Make the chocolate topping. Melt the chocolate and PB together. Then, cool over the base, smooth it out, and sprinkle with chopped nuts. Let the bars chill for a minimum of 2 hrs.
- Enjoy. Slice as big or small as you want. Enjoy!
What else can you add to Peanut Butter Bars?
You can easily dress up these bars for any taste or occasion! Some great additions are:
- Chocolate chips
- Flaky sea salt
- Crushed pretzels
- Caramel drizzle
- Sliced almonds, hazelnuts, and other nuts
Which peanut butter is the best to use?
Creamy, store-bought version is ideal for this recipe, such as Jif or Skippy. Natural, homemade versions tend to be oily, which will affect the texture and stop the bar base from setting.
Also, if the natural or oily PB is all you have on hand, I recommend trying to remove as much of the oil as possible.
How long do Peanut Butter Bars last?
In the fridge and wrapped properly, these treats will taste fresh for 5 days up to a week.
Frozen, you can keep them as long as 3 months.
How to freeze them?
No matter if you’re freezing them or keeping in the fridge, make sure to cover them tightly with plastic wrap. You can do that for individual slices or as a whole.
To store in the freezer, line them up in an appropriate container. Then, place a parchment sheet between each one to keep them from sticking to each other. To enjoy, thaw overnight.
More Easy Peanut Butter Desserts:
- PB Nutella Danish
- No Bake PB Cookie Dough Cups
- Mousse Brownies with Peanut Butter
- Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
- PB Cheesecake with Brownie Bottom and Reese’s
Recipe tips and notes:
- A 9×9 or 8×8 dishes are perfect if you like thick slices.
- Lining your dish with parchment paper makes it hassle-free to lift sticky desserts like this from the pan.
- Also, these treats need to set, so plan ahead for at least 2 hrs of chilling time to overnight.
- For clean, beautiful slices, use a serrated or very sharp knife. Wipe between cuts.
- Use creamy and not oily PB. Therefore, for the best texture and results, I highly recommend a processed creamy peanut butter such as Jif or Skippy.
- In addition, to avoid lumps, mix the base manually using a hand whisk.
- You can melt the chopped chocolate in the microwave or on the stove over a pot of simmering water.
Peanut Butter Bars
Ingredients
Base:
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled
- 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
Chocolate Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups chopped chocolate
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts chopped
Instructions
Base:
- Line an 8x8 or 9x9 dish with parchment paper so it has handles on the two of the sides that face each other, for easy removal of the bars.
- Add melted butter and peanut butter to a large bowl and mix until smooth.
- Beat in powdered sugar, and then the crumbs. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Chocolate Topping:
- Melt chocolate and peanut butter in the microwave, stir until smooth and combined, and pour the mixture over the peanut butter base. Smooth with a spatula and sprinkle with chopped peanuts.
- Chill for at least 2 hours before cutting and serving.
Nutrition
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