Peanut Butter Bars (Printable)

Rich, chewy peanut butter bars with a graham cracker base and chocolate topping, chilled until set.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

# Directions:

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 - Fold in the graham cracker crumbs and powdered sugar. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is uniform and no dry pockets remain.
04 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Press firmly and evenly using a spatula or your hands to create a flat, compact layer.
05 - In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips and creamy peanut butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each burst, until fully melted and glossy.
06 - Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the peanut butter base. Use a spatula to spread it into an even, smooth layer covering the entire surface.
07 - Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours, or until the chocolate topping is completely firm to the touch.
08 - Lift the slab out of the dish using the parchment paper overhang. Place on a cutting board and slice into 16 even bars. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • No oven required, which means you can make these even on the hottest summer day without heating up your kitchen.
  • The base tastes like the inside of a Reese cup, and the chocolate layer on top seals everything into something dangerously snackable.
02 -
  • If you cut these before the chocolate is fully set, the topping will smear and the layers will separate, so be patient with the chilling time.
  • Adding the extra peanut butter to the chocolate topping is not optional because it softens the chocolate enough to cut clean squares without shattering.
03 -
  • Run your knife under hot water and dry it between each cut for bakery clean edges that make people think you bought them.
  • Let the bars sit at room temperature for about ten minutes before serving so the base softens just enough to have that perfect chewy bite.

Go Back