Peanut Butter Bars Recipe
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Peanut Butter Bars make quick and delicious treats! This no bake peanut butter bars recipe has only 5 ingredients, is ready in less than 30 minutes and makes 20 to 36 bars.
Looking for more delicious easy dessert recipes? I think you’ll love my no-bake cookies, easy fudge, Hello Dolly Bars, and peanut butter balls.
What is it about Peanut Butter Bars that make the world just feel right? Since Sam was just a wee one, we’ve been making these peanut butter bars together. He’d sit on the edge of the counter, swinging his feet as we poured all of the ingredients for the peanut butter base into a large mixing bowl to mix it all together.
His favorite part of making these bars was always dumping the confectioner’s sugar into the bowl, the cloud of white sugar dust bringing out his contagious giggle every single time.
Peanut Butter Bars Recipe
These peanut butter bars are so simple and quick to make, but taste like they were super hard to make. That’s why Sam and I have been making them together for so many years. Five ingredients is all it takes to make these babies!
These bars are perfect for holidays, game days, potlucks, tailgating, and serving on your dessert table anytime. They are also great for gifting and disappear quicker than you would ever imagine! We also love to make them on camping trips in the RV.
I also remember that my Mama would sometimes make them just to tuck into my lunch box. When I’d open the lid to discover one inside, I felt like the luckiest girl alive. There’s just something about that whole peanut butter and chocolate combination that’ll do that for you.
How to Make:
To make these, you’ll need the following:
- Butter, melted
- Graham Cracker Crumbs
- Confectioners’ Sugar
- Peanut Butter
- Chocolate Chips
Mix. You’ll add the first four ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix until well combined and smooth. Then spread evenly into a 9×13 baking dish.
Melt. Combine ingredients for the peanut butter bar chocolate topping in a medium glass bowl. Melt in the microwave for 1 minute at a time on 80% power. Remove from the microwave and stir until smooth.
Chill. Spread the smoothed, melted peanut butter chocolate topping on top of the peanut butter bar base and place in the freezer for 15 minutes.
Remove from the freezer and cut into individual bars. The size will depend on the number of bars you’d like to serve. This recipe makes from 20 to 36 bars.
Storage Tips
To store. Store on the counter or in the refrigerator if warm in your area to prevent the chocolate from softening.
To freeze. Portion into freezer-safe container(s), label, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Here’s my recipe for Peanut Butter Bars. I know you are going to love them!
Peanut Butter Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup (226 g) butter, melted
- 2 cups (200 g) graham cracker crumbs, 2 sleeves ground to a fine crumb
- 2 cups (227 g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 1/2 cups (405 g) peanut butter
Peanut Butter Bar Chocolate Topping
- 1/4 cup (68 g) peanut butter
- 2 cups (340 g) chocolate chips
Instructions
- Combine first four ingredients in a large mixing bowl until well-combined and smooth. Spread evenly into a 9×13 baking dish.
- Combine ingredients for the peanut butter bar chocolate topping in a medium glass bowl. Melt in the microwave for 1 minute at a time on 80% power. Remove from the microwave and stir until smooth. Spread on top of the peanut butter bar base and place in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Remove from the freezer and cut into individual bars. The size will depend on the number of bars you’d like to serve (20-36 bars)
Notes
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions
To store. Store on the counter or in the refrigerator if warm in your area to prevent the chocolate from softening. To freeze. Portion into freezer-safe container(s), label, and freeze for up to 3 months.Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Other Favorite No Bake Peanut Treats:
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
So delicious! Added a tbsp of maple syrup to the base for a little extra. Super YUM!
Oh! I know that maple syrup addition to the base was fabulous.
Amazing-both sides of the family request these. Do yourself a favor and put a teaspoon of salt in the crust mixture and then sprinkle a little course salt on the chocolate topping right before freezing.
So glad everyone loves these bars, Rachael. Thank you.
I did 1 cup ground graham crackers and 1 cup grounds salted pretzels for the crust. I also sprinkled kosher salt on the chocolate topping before freezing. The added salt cuts the sweetness and really gives these a new dimension of flavor.
These are excellent! I just finished making them and ate 3 right away. ๐ณ I used an all natural type of peanut butter so I was afraid they wouldnโt turn out but they did. They taste and have a similar texture to a 5th Avenue candy bar. So good! ๐คค
Thanks, Tracy, I’m so glad you like these bars and glad they worked for you with the natural peanut butter.
looks yummy
Thank, Lynn.
I will definitely try this!
These are quick and easy but I had a difficult time cutting them out. What are your tips on cutting them out and should I keep them in the fridge?
Olivia, you could cut them after a few minutes in the refrigerator before theyโve completely set, place in the freezer, and allow them to finish setting. You will then have the chocolate scored to make it easier for a final cut and serve. Iโve kept them in an airtight container on the counter for a couple of days, in the refrigerator in an airtight container for about a week, and then Iโve frozen them to serve later. So, in other words, it really depends on how quickly you plan on serving them. You could always keep a few out at room temperature and then store the others in the freezer for later.Hope that helps!
Could these be made with cashew butter? I am allergic to peanuts, but would love to have a substitution. Cashew butter is a lot softer than peanut butter, though, so I don’t know if I can substitute.
Hi Mitch,
I’ve not made them with cashew butter before, but you can use it. I hope you enjoy them! Thanks!