Description
These Easy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars are a deliciously rich and chewy treat perfect for any occasion. Combining creamy peanut butter and semi-sweet chocolate chips, these bars offer a perfect balance of nutty flavor and chocolatey sweetness. They bake up quickly and are sure to become a favorite snack or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (240g) creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup (200g) packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Chocolate Chips
- 1 1/2 cups (250g) semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided (1 1/4 cups for the batter, 1/4 cup for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, creamy peanut butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to create a uniform batter.
- Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix to maintain a tender texture.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in 1 1/4 cups of the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter, reserving the remaining 1/4 cup for topping the bars.
- Bake the Bars: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips on top. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing them into squares for serving. Cooling ensures the bars set properly and slice cleanly.
Notes
- Use parchment paper for easy removal and cleaner slicing.
- Do not overmix the batter to prevent dense bars.
- Allow bars to cool fully to avoid crumbling when slicing.
- You can substitute peanut butter with almond or cashew butter if desired.
- For a firmer texture, refrigerate the bars after cooling.
