Peanut Butter Bars (Print version)

Chewy, peanut-packed bars with a silky chocolate layer, chilled until firm for easy slicing and serving.

# What goes in:

→ Base

01 - 1 cup creamy peanut butter
02 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
03 - 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
04 - 2 cups powdered sugar

→ Chocolate Topping

05 - 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
06 - 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

# Cooking steps:

01 - Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on the sides to lift the bars out later.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter and melted unsalted butter. Stir until completely smooth and well blended.
03 - Add the graham cracker crumbs and powdered sugar to the peanut butter mixture. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the mixture is uniform in texture.
04 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Press firmly and evenly across the bottom using a spatula or your hands to create a compact, level base.
05 - In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips and creamy peanut butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth.
06 - Pour the melted chocolate topping over the peanut butter base. Spread it into an even layer using a spatula, ensuring full coverage across the surface.
07 - Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours, or until the chocolate topping is firm and fully set to the touch.
08 - Lift the slab from the baking dish using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into 16 even bars and serve chilled.

# Tips from flavorandfeast:

01 -
  • No oven required, which means you can make these even in the most poorly equipped kitchen imaginable.
  • The combination of the dense peanut butter base with that silky chocolate top layer will make people assume you spent hours when you barely lifted a finger.
  • They freeze beautifully, so you can stash a batch and pretend you did not eat three before company arrived.
02 -
  • If the base feels too crumbly to press together, your peanut butter was probably too cold. Briefly microwave the mixture for 15 seconds and try again.
  • The chocolate topping must be spread immediately after melting because it begins to firm up quickly once it hits the cold base.
03 -
  • Wet your hands slightly before pressing the base into the pan to prevent it from sticking to your palms.
  • Score the chocolate lightly with a knife after about an hour of chilling so it is easier to cut clean lines later without cracking.

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