No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
User Reviews
4.6
No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
Description
This recipe forms a dense base by mixing melted salted butter, creamy peanut butter, and vanilla extract, combined thoroughly with sifted confectioners’ sugar and graham cracker crumbs to give structure. The base is pressed into a parchment-lined pan. The chocolate topping involves melting semi-sweet chocolate chips with additional peanut butter until smooth, then spreading it evenly over the base. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt adds a subtle contrast to the sweetness.
The bars set in the refrigerator for about two hours until firm, making them easy to cut into squares. Their texture balances the creamy peanut butter flavor with crunchy crumbs and smooth chocolate, enhanced by the salted topping. They store well refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a week.
If using unsalted butter, adding a small amount of salt to the base improves flavor. Graham cracker crumbs can be substituted with Digestives, Biscoff cookies, or Ritz crackers depending on preference.
Ingredients
For the bars:
- 1/2 cup butter melted and slightly cooled, salted
- 1 cup peanut butter brand like Skippy or Jif, creamy
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pure
- 1 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar sifted
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
For the chocolate topping:
- 1 1/4 cups chocolate chips semi-sweet
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter creamy
- sea salt for sprinkling on bars, flaky
Instructions
- Line an 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter, peanut butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add the confectioners’ sugar and stir until well combined. Stir in the graham cracker crumbs.
- Press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
- Place the chocolate chips and 3 tablespoons of peanut butter in a large microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second burst, stirring each time, until just melted. Stir until mixture is smooth.
- Pour evenly over the peanut butter base and smooth with a spatula. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Place the pan in the refrigerator and chill until the bars are firm, about 2 hours.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the bars into squares.
Notes
- Add 1/4 teaspoon salt to the base if using unsalted butter for balanced flavor.
- Graham cracker crumbs can be swapped with Digestives, Biscoff cookies, or Ritz crackers.
- Store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week to maintain freshness.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 16Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 320 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 320kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 29g | 10% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 21g | 32% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 16mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 164mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 199mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 21g | 42% |
| Vitamin A | 184IU | 4% |
| Calcium | 24mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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