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Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Bars

These peanut butter cup cookie bars are a delectable treat with the perfect combination of peanut butter and chocolate sweetness. These chewy cookie bars are an easy recipe to make with simple ingredients and loaded with mini Reese’s peanut butter cups, chocolate chips, and chopped nuts for added texture and flavor.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Additional Time
20 mins
Servings: 12 bars
Calories: 667 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ¾ cup white sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cup Reese’s peanut butter cups divided
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • ½ cup Chopped pecans or walnuts optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350° F and grease the bottom of a 9"x13" baking dish. Line it with parchment paper as well if desired.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and blend together
  3. In a large bowl, add the butter and blend with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy. Then add both sugars and blend on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until fluffy. (you can use the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment too)
  4. Add in the eggs and vanilla extract and blend on medium speed until incorporated.
  5. Then gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix just until the flour mixture is just barely blended it. (scrape down the sides of the bowl between each addition) Be careful not to over-mix.
  6. Next, add in one cup the chopped mini Reese’s peanut butter cup , ¾ cup of the chocolate chips, and ¼ cup of the chopped nut (if using) and gently stir them in evenly. (the remaining of each of these will be put on top)
  7. Pour the cookie dough into the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
  8. Add on the remaining mini peanut butter cups, chocolate chips and nuts and press them into the dough slightly.
  9. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  10. After baking, place the entire baking dish on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

  • Use regular sized Reese’s peanut butter cups and chop them into smaller pieces.
  • Add in ½ cup of creamy peanut butter for extra peanut butter flavor. (crunchy peanut butter would be great too)
  • Drizzle with caramel sauce or chocolate sauce after the bars have cooled.
  • Add some other chopped candy like M&M's or Snicker bars.
  • Add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
  • Use any other favorite nut like peanuts, cashews or sliced almonds.
  • Add in ½ cup of Reese's pieces candies if desired or in place of the chocolate chips.
  • Take them up a notch by add in ½ cup of raisins or other dried fruit and/or coconut flakes.
  • Use semi-sweet chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips.
  • Use a gluten-free flour like Bob's Red Mill One-to-One flour if desired.
  • TIPS
  • The ingredients will blend together best if they are at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before mixing, especially the butter which will make the bars more light and fluffy.
  • Carefully measure the flour by carefully spooning the flour into the measuring cup and leveling off with the back of a butter knife.
  • Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing.
  • STORING
  • After cooling completely, store cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
  • The cookie dough can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
  • Freeze leftover cookie bars slices by placing parchment paper or wax paper between each bar and placing them in a freezer safe plastic bag or container.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1bar Calories 667kcal (33%) Carbohydrates 85g (28%) Protein 9g (18%) Fat 34g (52%) Saturated Fat 16g (80%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g Monounsaturated Fat 11g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 76mg (25%) Sodium 299mg (12%) Potassium 230mg (7%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 57g (114%) Vitamin A 573IU (11%) Vitamin C 0.2mg (0%) Calcium 84mg (8%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12bars

Amount Per Serving

Calories 667

% Daily Value*

Serving 1bar
Calories 667kcal 33%
Carbohydrates 85g 28%
Protein 9g 18%
Fat 34g 52%
Saturated Fat 16g 80%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g 24%
Monounsaturated Fat 11g 55%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 76mg 25%
Sodium 299mg 12%
Potassium 230mg 5%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 57g 114%
Vitamin A 573IU 11%
Vitamin C 0.2mg 0%
Calcium 84mg 8%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.