5 from 20 votes
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars are rich, buttery baked squares featuring a soft cookie dough base layered with dollops of creamy peanut butter and semi-sweet chocolate chips. The texture is a combination of tender cookie crumb with pockets of peanut butter for moisture and flavor contrast. This recipe yields a classic, indulgent dessert or snack that combines nutty and chocolate notes.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
24 mins
Total Time
44 mins
Servings:
24
bars
Calories:
305 kcal
Course:
Baked Goods
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened, salted
- 1 ½ cups light brown sugar packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 egg large
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 3 cups chocolate chips semi-sweet
- ¾ cup peanut butter creamy
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper, set aside.
- In a mixing bowl beat butter and sugars until creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add in eggs and vanilla and beat until blended. Add in flour and baking soda.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Spread half of the dough (using fingertips) in the bottom of the baking dish. Dollop the peanut butter onto the dough. I used a 1 Tbsp cookie scoop to do this. Do not spread the peanut butter, drop by teaspoon or tablespoon instead.
- Top with remaining cookie dough (it's okay if some of the peanut butter shows).
- Bake in preheated oven for 24-28 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely in pan.
- Cut into bars and enjoy.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Use traditional commercial peanut butter (e.g., Jif or Skippy) rather than natural varieties for optimal texture and flavor.
- Do not spread the peanut butter dollops on the dough; leaving them as drops creates pleasing swirls when baked.
- Cool bars completely in the pan before cutting to ensure clean slices and set texture.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- If using unsalted butter, add 1 teaspoon kosher salt to the dry ingredients for flavor balance.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1bar
Calories
305kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
34g
(11%)
Protein
5g
(10%)
Fat
19g
(29%)
Saturated Fat
10g
(50%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
8g
(47%)
Cholesterol
36mg
(12%)
Sodium
162mg
(7%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
22g
(44%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 24 bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 305
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1bar | |
| Calories | 305kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 34g | 11% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 8g | 47% |
| Cholesterol | 36mg | 12% |
| Sodium | 162mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 22g | 44% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.