If you love the rich, comforting combo of nutty peanut butter and melty chocolate, you are going to fall head over heels for this Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe. These bars deliver the gooey, chewy texture of your favorite cookies but come together in one sturdy, sliceable batch that’s perfect for sharing (or sneaking a few more bites yourself). With a blend of creamy peanut butter, sweet brown sugar, and pockets of chocolate chips, each bite is bursting with flavor and that classic sweet-salty goodness you crave. This recipe is simple, crowd-pleasing, and hands-down one of the best treats to keep on hand for dessert or an anytime snack.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe lies in its straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients that make magic happen. Each one brings its own special touch, whether it’s the creamy texture, the perfect sweetness, or that chocolaty finish you just can’t resist.
- Peanut Butter (1 cup, creamy or chunky): The star of the show, providing rich flavor and chewy texture.
- Unsalted Butter (½ cup, softened): Adds creaminess and helps create a tender crumb.
- Brown Sugar (1 cup, packed): Brings moisture and a deep caramel sweetness that contrasts beautifully with peanut butter.
- Vanilla Extract (2 teaspoons): Enhances all the flavors with a warm, aromatic note.
- Large Eggs (2): Bind the ingredients together and add structure to these bars.
- All-Purpose Flour (1 ½ cups): The foundation that holds everything in place without heaviness.
- Baking Soda (½ teaspoon): Gives a subtle lift, keeping the bars nice and soft.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and intensifies the peanut butter flavor.
- Chocolate Chips (1 cup, milk or semi-sweet): The pockets of melty chocolate that make every bite irresistible.
How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
First things first, get your oven warmed up to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready to bake those bars evenly. Also, prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by lining it with parchment paper or giving it a light grease. This ensures easy removal after baking and keeps the bars intact.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
Grab a large bowl and use a mixer to blend the peanut butter, softened unsalted butter, and brown sugar. Mix them until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and inviting. Once creamy, add in the vanilla extract along with the eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to build a luscious batter.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mix into your wet batter, blending just until everything is incorporated. It’s important not to overmix here to keep the bars soft and tender.
Step 4: Add the Chocolate Chips
Now for the best part: fold in your chocolate chips gently. This step guarantees every bite will have those delightful chocolate pockets without breaking up your smooth batter. A few chips on top before baking is a great touch for extra visual appeal.
Step 5: Bake the Bars
Evenly spread the dough into your lined baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Pop it into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges turn a light golden color and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Once baked, allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to firm up just a bit before slicing. This makes cutting cleaner and helps each square hold its shape, ready to be enjoyed with a glass of milk, coffee, or just as they are!
How to Serve Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes can elevate your bars nicely. Consider a light dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of melted chocolate, or even a sprinkle of crushed peanuts on top to add a bit of crunch and visual flair. Each option adds a lovely touch without overpowering the core flavors.
Side Dishes
These bars are perfect with creamy accompaniments. Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert or with fresh berries to cut through the sweetness. A cup of hot coffee, milk, or even a cold glass of almond milk pairs beautifully for a well-rounded treat experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or gifts, stack bars with wax paper between layers and wrap in a festive box or tin. You can also cut them into bite-sized squares for easy sharing at gatherings or assemble dessert parfaits by layering crumbled bars with whipped cream and fresh fruit in glasses for an impressive twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftovers fresh by storing the cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This maintains their chewy texture and keeps the chocolate melty but not hard. If you want them softer, you can store them in the fridge, though they may firm up slightly.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these bars beyond a few days, they freeze beautifully. Wrap individual bars or the entire pan tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature before eating.
Reheating
To bring back that freshly-baked warmth, simply microwave a bar for 10 to 15 seconds, or pop it in a warm oven for 5 minutes. This melts the chocolate chips wonderfully and softens the bar for a just-baked feel that’s so satisfying.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter adds a bit of extra texture to the bars and can make them even more interesting to bite into. The recipe works perfectly with either option.
What type of chocolate chips work best?
Milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips are ideal, but feel free to experiment with dark chocolate or even peanut butter chips to switch things up. Each variation will bring its own unique twist to the flavor profile.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Make sure your baking soda and other ingredients are gluten-free to keep the bars safe for sensitive diets.
How long will these bars stay fresh?
Stored properly at room temperature in an airtight container, they’ll stay fresh and chewy for about 3 days. Refrigeration can extend their life to a week but may change the texture slightly.
Is it possible to halve the recipe?
Of course! Just halve all the ingredients and use a smaller baking dish, such as 8×8 inches. Keep an eye on baking time as it might be slightly shorter—start checking around 20 minutes.
Final Thoughts
There is something so comforting and undeniably delicious about this Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe that makes it a true favorite to keep in your recipe box. Whether you want a quick dessert, a sharing treat for friends, or something to keep you smiling all week, these bars deliver every time. I wholeheartedly encourage you to whip up a batch and enjoy the perfect harmony of peanut butter and chocolate that never goes out of style.
Print
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delicious and chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars combine creamy peanut butter, rich brown sugar, and melty chocolate chips for a perfectly sweet treat that’s easy to make and perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1 cup chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the peanut butter, softened unsalted butter, and packed brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Then add the vanilla extract and eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to form the cookie bar dough.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the chocolate chips into the dough, ensuring they are evenly distributed without overmixing, which could affect the texture.
- Bake: Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bars are fully baked.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the cookie bars to cool for about 10 minutes in the pan. Once slightly cooled, cut into squares and serve. Enjoy your peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bars warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- You can use either creamy or chunky peanut butter based on your preference for texture.
- For a richer flavor, use unsalted butter to control the salt level.
- Milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips both work well; choose based on desired sweetness.
- Ensure the eggs are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
- Do not overbake to keep the bars chewy; start checking at 25 minutes.
