Peanut Butter Bars feature a crunchy, sweet, and salty peanut butter and graham cracker base, topped with melted chocolate for a delightful treat.
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Crunchy Peanut Butter Bars make for an ideal snack when you’re craving something quick and effortless. With just a few pantry staples like peanut butter, graham crackers, powdered sugar, and chocolate chips, you can whip up these delicious treats in no time!
In just about 5 minutes, you can prepare this simple 5-ingredient dessert recipe featuring a layer of crunchy peanut butter topped with rich chocolate. Once you’ve assembled the layers, simply chill the Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars in the fridge until they’ve set, then indulge in these no-bake squares!
This recipe is perfect for involving the kids since there’s no need to use the oven. They can assist with measuring, scooping, and stirring. However, be sure to supervise them when handling the hot butter and chocolate from the microwave. You can even let them get creative by decorating the chocolate layer with their favorite sprinkles or candy pieces before refrigerating.
Ingredients Note
- Graham crackers: Use graham cracker crumbs to create a sweet and crispy base without the hassle of making your own dough. It’s a convenient shortcut that adds delicious texture.
- Peanut butter: Mix peanut butter into the crumb mixture to form a rich and peanut buttery base. Opt for your favorite brand of chunky peanut butter for an easy combination. Note that natural peanut butter may not work as well as the traditional kind in this recipe.
- Sugar: Add 2 cups of powdered sugar to the cracker and peanut butter crust for an extra boost of sweetness. Sugar also plays a role in thickening and solidifying the mixture.
- Chocolate: Finish off the peanut bars with a layer of melted chocolate chips. Simply spread the melted chocolate over the top and allow the bars to harden before serving.
Tips for Making Peanut Butter Bars
- Graham cracker base: Start by adding graham crackers to a food processor and pulsing them until they’re broken into crumbs. Transfer the crumbs to a medium bowl and mix in melted butter until well coated. Then add powdered sugar and creamy peanut butter to the same bowl and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Melted chocolate: Place chocolate chips in a clean microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is smooth and fully melted.
- Assemble: Grease a square baking tray and spread the prepared peanut butter mixture evenly using a rubber spatula. Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer and use the spatula to spread it out smoothly.
- Chilling time: Place the dish in the fridge until the chocolate layer is set. Once firm, cut the Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars into squares and serve.
Variations to Try:
- Chocolate chips: Experiment with different types of chocolate chips such as milk chocolate or dark chocolate to customize the flavor. For an extra burst of peanut butter goodness, sprinkle peanut butter chips over the chocolate layer.
- Nuts: Add chopped nuts for additional texture and flavor. While peanuts complement the peanut butter, you can also try almonds, cashews, or pecans for a tasty twist.
- Oreo crust: Elevate the chocolate factor by substituting graham crackers with crushed Oreo cookies for a decadent chocolate and peanut butter base.
- Biscoff crust: Swap out graham crackers for digestive biscuits to introduce a spiced caramel flavor that pairs beautifully with peanut butter and chocolate.
- Fruit: Create a delightful peanut butter and jelly variation by swirling strawberry, raspberry, or grape jelly onto the cookie crust layer before adding the chocolate. Simply place teaspoon-sized dots of preserves on the crust and use a knife to gently swirl it around.
How to Store Peanut Butter Bars
- Serve: Allow Peanut Butter Bars to cool completely before slicing them into squares and serving.
- Store: For any leftover bars, cover them with aluminum foil or transfer them to an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 1 week to maintain freshness.
- Freeze: To freeze the bars, place them in an airtight container with parchment paper between each layer to prevent them from sticking together. Store them in the freezer for up to 6 months to enjoy later.
Love bars? Be sure to check out these other delicious bar recipes!
Apple Crisp Cream Cheese Bars
Caramel Apple Bars
Lemon Cream Cheese Bars
Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars
Strawberry Crumb Bars
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