Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe: A Classic Dessert for Every Occasion
Peanut butter chocolate chip bars are the perfect dessert when you want something fast, delicious, and easy to make.
You can use simple pantry ingredients and have fresh, homemade bars on your table in less than 30 minutes.
These bars have a soft, chewy texture with a rich peanut butter flavor and plenty of chocolate in every bite. Whether you’re new to baking or already know your way around the kitchen, this recipe is straightforward and honestly just works.
Serve these bars at parties, family gatherings, or as a quick after-school snack. They’re a crowd-pleaser and don’t require much effort.
Why You Will Love These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars
There’s a delicious mix of sweet and salty in every square. Creamy peanut butter and chocolate chips, what’s not to like?
Most of the ingredients are probably already in your pantry. No fancy tools or skills needed, just a bowl and a spoon (and maybe a spatula if you’re feeling fancy).
The bars come out soft and chewy. You can eat them for dessert, a snack, or just because you feel like it.
They stay fresh for days in an airtight container, which is handy if you somehow have leftovers.
Here are some reasons you might go for these bars:
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Simple Prep | Easy, quick steps with few ingredients. |
| Versatile Serving | Serve warm, chilled, or with ice cream. |
| Consistent Results | Soft and chewy each time you bake them. |
You can personalize them by tossing in nuts, swapping in dark or milk chocolate, or even adding a caramel layer. It’s your call—make it your own.
For more ideas, check out recipes from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe or Averie Cooks, which both have easy instructions for soft and chewy bars.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe Overview
Peanut butter chocolate chip bars combine creamy peanut butter with sweet chocolate in a soft, chewy dessert. You only need basic pantry staples, and the process is quick.
Great for parties, potlucks, or a lazy weekend bake.
Ingredients and Measurements
Before you get started, gather these:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Salted butter | 1 cup (melted) |
| Brown sugar | 2 cups |
| Creamy peanut butter | 1 cup |
| Vanilla extract | 2 teaspoons |
| Eggs | 2 large (preferably room temp) |
| Baking soda | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon |
| All-purpose flour | 2 cups |
| Milk chocolate chips | 2 cups (divided, see below) |
If you’re using unsalted butter, toss in a pinch more salt. Gluten-free or almond flour swaps work too. For a little extra bite, try chunky peanut butter or a scoop of rolled oats.
Step-by-Step Preparation Instructions
Melt the butter and let it cool for a minute. In a big bowl, mix the melted butter with brown sugar until it looks blended.
Add eggs and vanilla. Beat until smooth and a bit lighter in color.
Dump in the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix just until you don’t see dry spots.
Stir in 1½ cups chocolate chips and all the peanut butter. Don’t overmix, just get everything combined.
Grease or line a 9×13 baking dish. Spread the dough evenly, then sprinkle the rest of the chocolate chips on top.
Bake at 350°F for about 22-25 minutes. You want the edges golden and a toothpick to come out mostly clean.
Let the bars cool in the pan before cutting. Serve them plain, or go wild with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Baking Tips for Perfect Texture
Room-temp eggs help the bars bake up nice and even. Melted, slightly cooled butter gives a soft, fudgy bite.
If you want chewier bars, pull them from the oven a minute early. Avoid overmixing after adding flour, no one likes a dense bar.
Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top after spreading the dough so you get chocolate in every bite. Let the bars cool first before slicing; it keeps the pieces from falling apart.
Want that just-baked taste? Microwave a bar for 10 seconds to melt the chocolate a bit.
For more details, check out this peanut butter chocolate chip bars guide.
Customizing and Serving Suggestions
Adjust your bars for dietary needs, flavor preferences, or just based on what’s in your pantry. Presentation matters too, these bars look great on a platter and are easy to share.
Alternative Ingredient Options
Need gluten-free? Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Dairy-free? Swap in plant-based margarine and dairy-free chocolate chips.
Cutting back on sugar? Try coconut sugar or your favorite substitute. Add-ins like nuts, coconut, or dried fruit keep things interesting. For a twist, throw in white chocolate, butterscotch chips, or toffee bits.
If you like more texture, a handful of rolled oats does the trick—kind of like these oatmeal cookie bars.
Presentation and Garnishing Ideas
Cut into neat squares or rectangles. Use a sharp knife (wipe it off between cuts if you want crisp edges).
Arrange on a platter or a tiered tray for easy grabbing. Add a little garnish: dust with powdered sugar, drizzle melted peanut butter or chocolate, or sprinkle mini chips on top right after baking.
For a special touch, use colorful sprinkles or a pinch of flaky sea salt. Serve warm with ice cream or a cold glass of milk, classic comfort right there.
FAQs
Wondering what you need to make peanut butter chocolate chip bars? Or how to tweak them for your preferences?
What ingredients are required to make classic peanut butter chocolate chip bars?
Usually, you’ll need unsalted butter, creamy peanut butter, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, flour, salt, and chocolate chips. Some recipes shift things a bit, but those are the basics.
If you want the exact list, check Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars on Averie Cooks.
How can one alter a peanut butter chocolate chip bar recipe to make it healthier?
Try whole wheat flour or oats instead of all-purpose. Use less sugar, natural peanut butter, or dark chocolate chips for a more wholesome spin.
Some folks mix in ground flaxseed or cut back on butter to lower the fat. Play around and see what works for you.
What is the correct baking time and temperature for peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bars in a 9×13 pan?
Set your oven to 350°F (177°C). Bake the mixture for about 20 to 25 minutes.
Look for the edges to be firm and the center to turn a nice golden color. The top should look set, but don’t worry if the bars seem a little soft—they’ll firm up as they cool right there in the pan.
If you want more details, you can check out The Country Cook’s bar recipe. It’s a solid reference if you’re feeling unsure.
