Best Peanut Butter Bars Recipe
User Reviews
5
Best Peanut Butter Bars Recipe
Description
This recipe begins with a cookie layer made from creamed butter, granulated and brown sugars, and peanut butter mixed with flour, salt, baking soda, and rolled oats. The mixture is pressed into a baking pan and baked until slightly golden, forming a sturdy, chewy crust with the nutty flavor of peanut butter and the texture of oats.
While the oven is still warm but off, semi-sweet chocolate chips are sprinkled over the cookie base and gently melted into a thin chocolate layer, which is then spread evenly. A final frosting layer prepared from powdered sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and milk is spread over the cooled bars, creating a smooth and sweet topping that balances the savory base.
The combination offers distinct layers with a chewy, slightly crisp bottom, a soft chocolate middle, and a creamy, sweet frosting top. These bars are suitable for dessert or snack and can be cut into squares for serving.
Storage instructions recommend keeping the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freezing cut portions for longer storage. Cutting and freezing individually before stacking helps maintain shape in the freezer.
Ingredients
Cookie Layer:
- ¾ cups butter softened but not melted
- ¾ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cups brown sugar
- ¾ cups peanut butter smooth or crunchy, depending of preference*
- 2 egg at room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ tsp baking soda
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
Chocolate Layer:
- 1 ½ cups chocolate chips semi-sweet
Frosting Layer:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ¾ cup peanut butter smooth
- ¾ cup butter softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup milk
Instructions
Cookie Layer:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees f. Grease a 12×17 in cookie sheet or jelly roll pan, or use parchment paper to line the pan. Set aside.
- Wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together on medium speed (using a hand or stand mixer) butter, sugars, peanut butter, eggs, and vanilla until light and fluffy.
- Dry ingredients: Sift flour, salt, and baking soda into the creamed mixture. Mix well to combine, scraping down the sides of the bowl once halfway through.
- Add oats. Mix together until combined (cookie dough texture). Press the dough onto the prepared baking pan sheet until it forms a uniform layer on the bottom of the pan.
- Bake at 375 F for about 10 minutes until slightly golden on top. Turn off the oven.
Chocolate Layer:
- Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the cookie layer and place back in the warm oven (that is turned OFF) for 2 minutes.
- Take out the cookie sheet and spread the warm chocolate all over the cookie with a spatula or knife- creating a smooth thin layer.
- Place in fridge to let chocolate layer harden a bit.
Peanut Butter Frosting Layer:
- In a medium mixing bowl cream together (using hand or stand mixer) the powdered sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla and milk.
- The end result should be a uniform creamy peanut butter buttercream.
- With a spatula gently spread the frosting over the chocolate layer after the bars and chocolate have cooled completely.
Notes
- Store peanut butter bars covered in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days.
- Freeze cut bars individually for 2-3 months after chilling the frosting to set it, to preserve texture and shape.
- Use a rimmed baking sheet with a lid if available, or tightly cover bars with plastic wrap.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 24bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 422 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 422kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 44g | 15% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 25g | 38% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 0.5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 31mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 252mg | 11% |
| Potassium | 238mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 24g | 48% |
| Vitamin A | 364IU | 7% |
| Calcium | 36mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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