If you’re craving a sweet treat that’s irresistibly chewy, rich with nutty goodness, and packed with a double dose of chocolate, you’re in for a real delight. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are the ultimate mash-up of two classic cookies in one easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing dessert! These bars are thick, comforting, and require almost no fuss, making them my go-to for potlucks, family nights, or just a cozy evening in. Trust me, one bite and you’ll understand why these beauties never stick around for long!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars lies in a handful of pantry staples, each playing a star role in creating that mouthwatering texture and flavor. Don’t skip or swap these — they’re what make these bars truly unforgettable.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: The heart and soul of this recipe, lending a rich, nutty base and moist, tender crumb.
- Unsalted Butter, softened: Gives the bars their decadent texture and helps all the flavors blend together perfectly.
- Brown Sugar, packed: Adds deep caramel notes and keeps the bars ultra-soft.
- Granulated Sugar: Balances sweetness and helps the bars bake up with a light chew.
- Large Eggs: Essential for binding everything together and adding moisture.
- Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavors with a cozy, aromatic warmth.
- All-Purpose Flour: Just enough to give the bars structure without making them dry or cakey.
- Baking Soda: Ensures the bars rise slightly and have a light, even texture.
- Salt: Intensifies all the flavors and expertly balances the sweetness.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Melty, gooey pockets of chocolate in every bite — need I say more?
How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Heat the Oven
First, set yourself up for success. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), then line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or a light coating of nonstick spray. This helps the bars pop right out, keeping those beautiful edges intact after baking.
Step 2: Cream the Peanut Butter, Butter, and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, softened butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy — this is where that superb softness comes from! It should look smooth and slightly pale in color.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Crack in the eggs one by one and pour in the vanilla extract. Mix until everything is well incorporated, but don’t overdo it. The eggs add lift and richness, making your Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars irresistibly chewy.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution — nobody wants a bite with a surprise of straight baking soda!
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet bowl, stirring until you have a thick and cohesive dough. Be gentle; overmixing at this stage can make the bars tough.
Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Here comes the best part: the chocolate chips! Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips so they’re well dispersed, ensuring chocolate in every glorious bite.
Step 7: Spread, Bake, and Cool
Scoop the dough into your prepared pan and spread it evenly — an offset spatula works wonders here. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, just until the edges are golden and the center is set. Resist the urge to dig in immediately! Let the bars cool completely in the pan so they hold their shape when sliced.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Garnishes
A sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the warm bars really makes the flavors pop, or you can drizzle a little melted chocolate or peanut butter on top for extra flair. A dusting of powdered sugar is always a classic finishing touch, especially if you’re serving these at a party.
Side Dishes
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are decadent on their own, but they’re also outstanding alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some fresh strawberries. If you’re feeling fancy, pair them with a coffee or rich hot chocolate to really indulge your tastebuds.
Creative Ways to Present
For a crowd, cut these into bite-sized squares and stack them on a tiered dessert stand. You can also build a fun cookie bar platter with an assortment of fresh berries, mini chocolate pieces, and candied peanuts. If you want to get playful, use cookie cutters to shape the bars after cooling — hearts or stars for a festive touch!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. They stay perfectly soft, and the flavors get even better with time.
Freezing
These cookie bars freeze beautifully! Place the cooled and sliced bars in a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper. They’ll keep for up to two months — simply thaw at room temperature before serving when the cookie craving strikes.
Reheating
For that just-baked magic, pop a bar in the microwave for about 10 seconds. This will soften the chocolate chips and make the bars perfectly gooey again. Alternatively, a quick warm-up in a 300°F oven for a few minutes works wonders, too.
FAQs
Can I use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Using chunky peanut butter adds a delightful texture and a bit of crunch to the bars. You can even toss in a handful of chopped peanuts for extra nutty goodness.
What’s the best way to cut clean, even bars?
Let your Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars cool completely in the pan first. Then, use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts — and for truly clean edges, chill the bars briefly before slicing.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. The bars will still be chewy and delicious, though the texture may vary slightly depending on the brand.
Are these bars suitable for freezing?
Definitely! The bars freeze and thaw beautifully, so you can make a batch ahead and enjoy them whenever you want a sweet treat without any fuss.
What size pan works best for this recipe?
A standard 9×13-inch baking pan is perfect for achieving that ideal thickness and chew. If you use a smaller pan, your bars will be thicker and may need a bit more baking time, while a larger pan will give you thinner, crispier edges.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about the combination of peanut butter and chocolate, and these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars capture that magic in every bite. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply treating yourself, I hope you’ll fall head over heels for this easy, comforting recipe. Give them a try — they might just become your next dessert obsession!
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Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these irresistible Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars that are a perfect blend of nutty peanut butter, sweet chocolate chips, and buttery goodness. These bars are easy to make and great for satisfying your sweet cravings.
Ingredients
For the cookie bars:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or by greasing lightly.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together peanut butter, softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until combined.
- Add chocolate chips: Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips until evenly distributed in the dough.
- Bake: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is set.
- Cool and cut: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into bars for serving.
Notes
- For added texture, consider using chunky peanut butter or mixing in chopped peanuts.
- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze them for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
