Peanut butter isn’t something I grew up eating every day, but over the years, I’ve come to appreciate just how versatile and delicious it is in desserts. While peanut butter cups might not be a staple where I live, the combination of peanut butter and chocolate is something that instantly feels comforting. These peanut butter bars bring together those two flavors in the easiest way possible, no baking, no complicated techniques, just a few simple ingredients mixed together and chilled to perfection.

Recipe

What I love about this peanut butter bars recipe is how effortlessly it comes together. I’ve made these bars for quick snacks, as a fun weekend treat, and even to keep in the freezer for when I want something sweet without much effort.

The peanut butter base is rich and creamy, the chocolate topping adds a smooth contrast, and the whole thing sets beautifully in the fridge. They’re easy to slice, store, and share, making them a perfect go-to dessert for any occasion.

If you love peanut butter and chocolate, these bars are going to be a favorite in your house. They taste just like the classic candy bars but with even better texture and flavor.

Jump to:

⭐Why You'll Love This Peanut Butter Bars
🧾Peanut Butter Bars Ingredients
👩🏻‍🍳How to Make Peanut Butter Bars
📖Variations
💭Tips for Recipe Success
🥜More Peanut Butter Recipes to Try!
🍰More Dessert Recipes!
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

⭐Why You'll Love This Peanut Butter Bars

Made with Simple Pantry Ingredients: Everything you need is likely already in your kitchen, making this a hassle-free treat.
No Baking Required: Just mix everything, layer it in a pan, and let the fridge do the rest.
Perfectly Balanced Texture: The peanut butter layer is soft yet firm, and the chocolate topping has a smooth finish.
Ideal for Make-Ahead Treats: These bars are stored beautifully in the fridge or freezer, so you always have a delicious treat ready.
Tastes Like a Homemade Chocolate-Peanut Butter Candy: A sweet, nutty, and rich flavor in every bite.

🧾Peanut Butter Bars Ingredients

Here’s the breakdown of what’s in this Peanut Butter Bars recipe:

Peanut Butter Layer:

Creamy Peanut Butter: I use creamy peanut butter because it blends smoothly into the base, making the bars soft and easy to bite into. If you prefer a bit of crunch, you can swap in crunchy peanut butter, but I like the creamy texture of this recipe.
Unsalted Butter: I add softened butter to make the peanut butter layer extra rich and melt-in-your-mouth soft. Since peanut butter already has salt, I prefer using unsalted butter to keep the flavors balanced.
Powdered Sugar: I like using powdered sugar because it blends seamlessly into the peanut butter mixture without any graininess. It also helps the bars hold their shape without making them overly firm.

Chocolate Layer:

Chocolate Bar: I prefer using a good-quality chocolate bar rather than chocolate chips because it melts into a smooth, glossy layer. The better the chocolate, the richer the bars taste!
Butter (for the Chocolate Topping): I mix a little butter into the melted chocolate to keep it soft enough to slice without cracking. This small step makes cutting the bars so much easier.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

👩🏻‍🍳How to Make Peanut Butter Bars

These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.

1. Prepare the Peanut Butter Base: In a large bowl, mix softened butter and peanut butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, stirring until combined.

2. Shape the Base: Line an 8x8-inch (20x20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper. Press the peanut butter mixture evenly into the dish, smoothing it with a spatula or a small roller.

3. Melt and Spread the Chocolate: Melt the chocolate with butter in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring until smooth. Pour over the peanut butter layer and spread evenly.

4. Chill and Slice: Refrigerate for 1-3 hours until firm. Lift it out using the parchment paper and cut it into squares.

📖Variations

For a Sweet-Salty Kick: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top of the chocolate before it sets.
Want some Crunch?: Stir in crushed graham crackers or chopped peanuts into the peanut butter layer.

💭Tips for Recipe Success

Use Parchment Paper: This makes it easy to lift the bar out of the pan for clean slicing.

Let the Bars Sit at Room Temperature for a Few Minutes Before Cutting: This helps prevent the chocolate from cracking.

Storage: Store leftover peanut butter bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze them for up to three months for a longer-lasting treat.

🥜More Peanut Butter Recipes to Try!

If you enjoy cooking with peanut butter, be sure to check out these delicious recipes for inspiration:

🍰More Dessert Recipes!

Here are more of my favorite dessert recipes! Try these:

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📖 Recipe

Peanut Butter Bars

Enjoy rich and creamy peanut butter bars with no baking required! This easy recipe comes together in just a few simple steps, delivering the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors.

5 from 1 vote

Print Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Total Time: 10

Servings: 16 Bars

Calories: 366

Author: Estefania

Ingredients

Peanut Butter Layer:

▢ 375 g Creamy Peanut Butter
▢ 120 g Unsalted Butter - Softened
▢ 300 g Powdered Sugar

Chocolate Layer:

▢ 250 g Dark Chocolate Bar
▢ 1 tablespoon Butter

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter and softened unsalted butter. Mix until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add powdered sugar. Continue mixing until everything is well combined into a smooth, thick dough-like consistency.
Line an 8x8-inch (20x20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang to lift out easily.
Press the peanut butter mixture firmly into the pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula or a small roller. Set aside.
Break the chocolate bar into pieces and combine with 1 tablespoon of butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the chocolate in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until fully melted and smooth.
Pour the melted chocolate evenly over the peanut butter layer, spreading gently with a spatula. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour (preferably 2-3 hours) until firm.
Once set, remove from the refrigerator and lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Slice into squares or bars.
Enjoy these delicious peanut butter bars chilled or slightly softened at room temperature!

Notes

Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is soft (but not melted) before mixing it with peanut butter. Soft butter makes the mixture smooth, creamy, and easy to spread evenly in your pan. I find it helpful to leave the butter out at room temperature about 30–45 minutes beforehand.

Use Good Quality Chocolate: Since chocolate is a star ingredient, pick one you really like. I personally prefer semi-sweet chocolate bars, they provide the perfect balance to the sweetness of the peanut butter.

Melting the Chocolate: When melting the chocolate, go slowly. Microwaving in short bursts and stirring each time prevents burning. From personal experience, burnt chocolate changes the taste, so patience is key!

Chilling the Bars: Letting the bars chill long enough is important. I usually refrigerate them for at least 2 hours, so they’re perfectly set and easy to slice. If you’re in a hurry, popping them briefly in the freezer can help speed things up.

Cutting Tips: For neat slices, I recommend using a sharp knife dipped in warm water and wiped dry. This little step ensures clean edges and makes the bars look beautiful on the plate.

Nutrition

Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.

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