This recipe for peanut butter chocolate bars is the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth! Soft and chewy, these cookie bars have a heavenly combination of creamy peanut butter and decadent chocolate chips.
Delightful peanut butter chocolate bars
Whether you’re looking for an easy snack or special treat, these tasty peanut butter chocolate bars are sure to please. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch of this easy yet delicious dessert in no time! These delights are kid friendly, vegan, moist and sweet and the recipe can be tweaked to appeal to gluten-free diets as well by simply swapping regular flour with gluten free flours.
These peanut butter chocolate bars keep things simple. There’s so little fuss, you may want to make them more often than you think! The results are amazing – moist, sweet bars that everyone will love!
What enhances the flavor of peanut butter?
To make peanut butter taste even better, consider adding additional ingredients to the recipe that will enhance its flavor.
- For added sweetness, you can opt for adding a little honey.
- To really bring out the nutty flavor of the peanut butter, add some almond extract as well.
- Add some semi-sweet morsels for a great contrast of flavors!
- Chop some Reese’s peanut butter cups and add on top of the peanut butter layer.
Want more peanut butter goodness?
- PB&J sandwich cookies
- Peanut butter banana bread
- Air fryer peanut butter cookies
- Peanut butter fudge cheesecake bars
How to tweak this recipe
These peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bars are an excellent way to make your day a little sweeter and put a smile on everyone’s face! Here are some ways to make them even more delicious:
- Add a few chopped nuts to the peanut butter mixture for a bit of crunch.
- Add some graham crackers to the top for added crunchiness or sprinkle some graham cracker crumbs when done baking.
- Top with flaked sea salt or shredded coconut for a special treat.
- Use semi sweet or dark chocolate chips instead of regular ones.
- If you want these bars to be even more indulgent, consider adding some chunks of dark chocolate instead of chips!
- Try adding half cup of white chocolate chips or use butterscotch chips in place of the peanut butter chips.
- Serve them with a scoop of ice cream for a delicious dessert.
- If you want to, add a few peanut butter chips.
- Drizzle some maple syrup when serving.
- Melt some white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and drizzle before serving.
- Add some sprinkles for a colorful and festive touch.
Tips to make the best peanut butter chocolate bars
Ensure you bake the best peanut butter chocolate bars by following these simple tips:
- Make sure the ingredients are at room temperature before you start baking. This will help ensure a smooth texture and no lumpy dough.
- Use smooth, creamy peanut butter in the recipe and do not use crunchy peanut butter as it can give a grainy texture to the bars. Unless you absolutely love this kind of texture in your cookie bars!
- If you find that your batter is too thick, add two tablespoons of milk or cream until desired consistency is achieved.
- When baking these bars, make sure not to overbake them – they should come out soft yet lightly browned on top for maximum deliciousness!
- Test for doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center of the pan. If it comes out clean, your bars are done!
- Slice the bars when they are completely cool. This ensures that they hold their shape and don’t become too crumbly when cut into slices.
What is the nutritious value of these bars?
These bars are high in protein thanks to the peanut butter, and they are also loaded with fiber. The addition of chocolate chips makes them a source of antioxidants too! The sodium content of the bars depends on the type of peanut butter you use, but overall these treats are relatively low in sodium. While pretty high in calories, these bars are a much healthier option than your typical store bought cookie and can be part of a balanced diet. They make an excellent snack for kids and adults alike.
For detailed nutrition information about these bars, please check the recipe card below!
These yummy peanut butter cookie bars are sure to be a hit with everyone! Try them today for an easy and scrumptious snack everyone will love!
What ingredients do you need to make peanut butter bars recipe?
The simple ingredients needed to make this decadent cookie bar recipe are:
- butter, unsalted, room temperature
- brown sugar
- granulated sugar
- applesauce, unsweetened
- vanilla extract
- flour, all purpose
- baking soda
- sea salt
- semi-sweet chocolate chips
- roasted peanuts, unsalted
- creamy peanut butter
How to make peanut butter chocolate bars?
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line with parchment paper. I like to do both for my baking dish to prevent burned bottoms.
- In a large bowl, add butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Beat until light and creamy. It will take about 3 minutes.
- In the same bowl, stir in applesauce and vanilla extract. Beat again for some seconds to combine.
- Now add flour, baking soda and salt to the bowl. Use a spatula to combine. Don’t overmix the batter.
- Add chocolate chips, peanuts and peanut butter. Gently mix all together to combine.
- Pour dough in the prepared pan. Top with more chocolate chips and roasted peanuts. Bake chocolate peanut butter bars in the middle of the oven for 30 minutes.
- Remove and let chill for at least 20 minutes before cutting into bars.
- Dust with powdered sugar if you like. Serve and enjoy!
If you have more questions about this recipe here are some good Q&A
What’s the best way to store these peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bars?
Let them cool completely before storing. Place them in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months in a deep freezer. Thaw in the fridge overnight before enjoying.
Can I use crunchy peanut butter for this recipe?
We do not recommend using crunchy peanut butter as it can give a grainy texture to the bars. If you prefer a slightly crunchier texture, consider adding some chopped nuts or other mix-ins instead of crunchy peanut butter.
What kind of chocolate chips should I use for these bars?
You can use any type of chocolate chips that you like. We suggest semi sweet or dark chocolate chips for an extra indulgent treat! Milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips and butterscotch chips also work great if you’re looking for something different.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?
Test for doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center of the pan. If it comes out clean, your bars are done! They should look lightly browned on top and be soft yet stable when touched.
Can I substitute applesauce for butter?
Yes, you can use applesauce in place of butter. This is a great way to make these bars healthier! Keep in mind that substituting some or all of the butter might result in a slightly different texture and flavor.
Enjoy your homemade peanut butter chocolate chip bars! They make a delicious snack that everyone will love. And don’t forget to share them with your friends and family! For more recipes, be sure to explore my website for even more delicious ideas. Happy baking!
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Peanut butter chocolate bars
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter unsalted, room temperature
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup applesauce unsweetened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups flour all purpose
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 ½ cups chocolate chips plus extra for topping
- ½ cup roasted peanuts unsalted, plus extra for topping
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, add butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Beat until light and creamy. It will take about 3 minutes.
- In the same bowl, add applesauce and vanilla extract. Beat again for some seconds to combine.
- Now add flour, baking soda and salt to the bowl. Use a spatula to combine. Don’t overmix the batter.
- Add chocolate chips, peanuts and peanut butter. Gently mix all together to combine.
- Transfer dough in the greased baking dish. Top with more chocolate chips and roasted peanuts. Bake in the middle of the oven for 30 minutes.
- Remove and let rest for at least 20 minutes before cutting into bars.
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