If you’ve been dreaming of a treat that brings together the nutty richness of peanut butter and the melt-in-your-mouth magic of chocolate chips, these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars will completely win you over. They’re the kind of bake that tastes like childhood nostalgia, late-night cravings, and celebration all wrapped up in one gooey, golden square. With a chewy inside, crispy edges, and the perfect salty-sweet balance, this recipe is pure comfort food and a true crowd-pleaser. You don’t need any fancy equipment or complicated steps – just a few pantry staples and about half an hour. Trust me, this is the recipe you’ll want to keep in your back pocket, ready for birthdays, bake sales, or whenever someone says, “I could use something sweet.”

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s keep things simple but delicious! Each of these ingredients has a place in creating seriously moreish Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, so it’s worth using the best you have for maximum flavor, texture, and color.

Unsalted butter: Softened butter gives these bars their signature moist and tender crumb while letting the peanut butter flavor shine.
Creamy peanut butter: The star ingredient brings richness and that unmistakable nutty taste – classic creamy is ideal for that smooth texture, but a crunchy version can add a fun twist.
Brown sugar (packed): Brown sugar delivers moisture and an irresistible caramel note, helping the bars stay chewy instead of cakey.
Granulated sugar: Adds extra sweetness and helps achieve those golden, crisp edges.
Large egg: Binds everything together and gives the bars just the right structure.
Vanilla extract: Just a teaspoon is enough to bring warmth and depth that ties the peanut butter and chocolate together.
All-purpose flour: Provides the backbone for the bars – you want the standard stuff here for a chewy bite.
Baking soda: Gives the bars a gentle lift, keeping them from feeling too dense.
Salt: Don’t skip it! A small amount balances out the sweetness and makes every other flavor pop.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melty, rich, and not too sweet, these little pockets of chocolate are what take these cookie bars over the top.

How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F so it’s ready for action. Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper or give it a light greasing. This step guarantees your cookie bars will pop out effortlessly, minimizing any sticky situations (and making cleanup way easier too!).

Step 2: Cream Butter, Peanut Butter, and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Using a hand mixer or sturdy wooden spoon, beat everything together until smooth, fluffy, and glorious. This is where those bars get their golden chew – make sure it’s well mixed for even flavor throughout.

Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla

Now add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix until just incorporated – you want everything blended, but don’t over-mix here. The vanilla gives the bars a warm, bakery-style aroma, so don’t skip it!

Step 4: Whisk Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This quick step helps distribute the leavening agent and salt evenly, meaning you get a perfect bite every time.

Step 5: Bring Wet and Dry Together

Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture. Mix gently – just until the last streaks of flour disappear. Over-mixing at this stage can lead to tough bars, so keep it light-handed.

Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips

With a spatula, fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, making sure they’re evenly spread without overworking the dough. Every bite should have a little chocolate surprise!

Step 7: Spread and Bake

Transfer the dough to your prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly with a spatula or your fingertips – it’s a thick dough, but just coax it out to the edges. Slide it into the oven and bake for 22–26 minutes. You want the edges golden and pulling from the sides, with the center just barely set and still a little soft looking.

Step 8: Cool and Slice

Patience pays off here: let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into 16 even squares. They’ll firm up as they cool, making it easier to cut neat, fudgy pieces without crumbs everywhere.

How to Serve Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Garnishes

Dress these bars up with a drizzle of melted peanut butter or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for an extra dash of gourmet flair. For true peanut butter lovers, add a scattering of chopped roasted peanuts on top before baking, or finish with a dusting of powdered sugar once cooled.

Side Dishes

They’re wonderfully decadent on their own, but for a dessert platter to remember, pair your Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars with a scoop of vanilla or peanut butter ice cream. A glass of cold milk or a rich hot chocolate is a classic sidekick that makes each bite taste even better.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack bars in a tall tower for a playful presentation, or wrap them individually in parchment with a twine bow as edible gifts. Cut them into smaller bites for a sweet party snack board, or tuck them into lunchboxes for a mid-day treat that’s sure to bring a smile. These bars make any occasion feel just a little more special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay chewy and soft for up to 4 days – if they last that long! If your kitchen runs particularly warm, stashing them in the fridge is a good way to ward off any melting chocolate.

Freezing

These bars are fantastic freezer candidates! After they’ve cooled completely, wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap or parchment, then seal in a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 2 months – just thaw at room temperature whenever a craving strikes.

Reheating

If you love a warm cookie bar, simply pop one (or more!) into the microwave for about 10–15 seconds. The chocolate turns gooey again, the peanut butter aroma wakes up, and suddenly, it’s as if they just came out of the oven.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter will add a lovely texture and extra peanutty bursts, making the bars a bit more rustic and fun. You might even want to stir in some extra chopped roasted peanuts for even more crunch if that’s your style.

What’s the best way to cut perfect bars without crumbling?

Let the bars cool completely before slicing, and use a sharp knife. For extra clean cuts, wipe the knife with a damp cloth between each slice. Lining your pan with parchment so you can lift the whole batch out also makes for easier slicing.

Can I double this recipe for a larger pan?

Yes, doubling works perfectly! Use a 9×13-inch pan, and bake for roughly 26–30 minutes. Keep an eye on the center – when it looks set and the edges are golden, it’s ready to go.

Are these bars gluten free?

The classic recipe calls for all-purpose wheat flour, but you can substitute a one-to-one gluten-free flour blend for similar results. Make sure all your other ingredients (especially baking powder or baking soda) are certified gluten-free if you need to steer clear of gluten.

Can I swap out the chocolate chips for something else?

Definitely! Try white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or even chunks of your favorite chocolate bar. Stirring in a handful of dried cranberries or coconut can create a unique spin, but nothing quite beats the classic combination of peanut butter and semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Final Thoughts

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life’s little joys are often found in recipes like these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. They’re comforting, quick, delightfully chewy, and impossible to resist. Whether you bake them to share or save every last piece for yourself, you’ll find they deliver a dose of happiness with every bite. Go ahead – preheat that oven and treat yourself!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

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4.5 from 21 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 16 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the perfect combination of peanut butter and chocolate with these soft and chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, these bars are a delightful treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookie Bars:

½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
½ cup creamy peanut butter
½ cup brown sugar (packed)
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper or grease.
Mix wet ingredients: Cream butter, peanut butter, sugars until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mix well.
Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to wet mixture.
Add chocolate chips: Fold in chocolate chips. Spread dough in dish.
Bake: Bake for 22–26 minutes until edges are golden and center is set.
Cool and cut: Cool in pan, then cut into bars.