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    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Peanut Butter Bars

    Peanut Butter Bars

    Published: Nov 8, 2022 · Modified: Dec 10, 2022 by Sherri · This post may contain affiliate links · 23 Comments

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    These Peanut Butter Bars are a quick and easy recipe that’s made with simple ingredients and loved by every peanut butter lover. They’re a no bake dessert that combines classic flavors of chocolate and peanut butter in a very simple way.

    Love no bake desserts or chocolate peanut butter cookies? You will love these Peanut Butter Cups, Peanut Butter Balls and these amazing Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies.

    closeup of a peanut butter bar topped with chocolate and red green and white sprinkles.

    Table of contents

    • No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
    • Ingredients/shopping list
    • Variations/ Substitutions
    • How to Make this Peanut Butter Bar Recipe
    • Tips
    • FAQ’s

    No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

    These dessert bars are a fool-proof peanut butter treat. Turning them into Holiday themed bars is so easy too with the addition of holiday sprinkles on top of the bars.  Make them for your Christmas parties or give as gifts to neighbors and friends. 

    This sweet treat that takes no time to whip up. Just let the chocolate set up and then slice into bars and serve up for a fun, delicious treat.

    These are bursting with peanut butter flavor in each bite and will become a family favorite treat in no time.

    closeup of a square of no bake chocolate covered peanut butter bars topped with green and red sprinkles.

    Ingredients/shopping list

    several bowls with ingredients for peanut butter bars - cream peanut butter, powdered sugar, chocolate chips, vanilla extract, salt.

    Peanut Butter – I used a creamy peanut butter for this recipe like Skippy or Jif. Make sure it is quality peanut butter as it is going to be the stand out flavor.

    Butter – Unsalted butter is what I used. If you use salted butter then omit the salt.

    Vanilla and Salt – These two ingredients are gonna enhance the flavor.

    Powdered Sugar – If your powdered sugar has a lot of clumps then you can run it through a sifter. This will helps to ensure your peanut butter layer is nice and creamy.

    Coconut Oil – The coconut oil is going to help the chocolate get a nice smooth look.

    Chocolate – You can use any type of chocolate you want. Milk, semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate, etc.

    Sprinkles – You can use festive sprinkles to give this dessert a fun look for Christmas or any other holiday.

    Sprinkles – You can use festive sprinkles to give this dessert a fun look for Christmas.

    Variations/ Substitutions

    1. Use crunchy peanut butter for the peanut butter base.
    2. Feel free to use another nut butter if you’d like.
    3. Stir in ½ cup graham cracker crumbs or in the peanut butter chocolate bars for a nice crunch.
    4. You can take these to another level and make a graham cracker crumbs crust and then top the peanut butter. Just melt ½ stick of butter and mix in cup of crushed graham crackers. Baked it for 10 minutes at 350° F then let it cool completely before adding the peanut butter layer.
    4. Top with chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups, Reese’s pieces, Holiday M&M’s or chopped pecans or walnuts for a different option.

    How to Make this Peanut Butter Bar Recipe

    Step 1: Line a square 8-inch or 9-inch baking dish with parchment paper.

    silver mixing bowl with fluffy whipped peanut butter mixture.

    Step 2: In a medium bowl, add the peanut butter and butter and blend together until smooth. Then add in the vanilla extract and salt and blend in as well.

    silver mixing bowl with peanut butter dough.

    Step 3 Next, slowly add in the powdered sugar a little at a time, scraping the sides of the bowl as you add it.

    peanut butter and powdered sugar mixture pressed into a square metal baking dish.

    Step 4: Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and press it  into an even layer.

    glass mixing bowl with melted chocolate chips.

    Step 5: In a separate microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and coconut oil and microwave for 30 seconds. Then stir and repeat for another 30-seconds then stir. Repeat for one more 30 second interval and stir. Be careful not to over heat the chocolate or it will seize and become too hard to spread.

    melted chocolate spread in a square metal baking dish.

    Step 6: Pour the melted chocolate over the top of the peanut butter layer and spread evenly.

    square metal baking dish with chocolate spread over a peanut butter mixture and topped with red, green and white sprinkles.

    Step 7: Top with sprinkles while the chocolate is warm, if you’d like. 

    Step 8:  Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to chill. Slice and enjoy.

    closeup of a peanut butter bar topped with chocolate and holiday colored sprinkles.

    Tips

    • Be very careful not to use too much powdered sugar. Do not over pack the measuring cup. Use the spoon and level with a butter knife method and it be light and fluffy. If you use too much they will be crumbly.
    • Slice with a sharp, bladed knife to cut the bars into your desired size. For nice clean cuts, run warm water over the knife and and wipe the knife clean with a paper towel between each cut.
    • Make sure to ensure the peanut butter mixture is fully mixed up before you add in the powdered sugar. The dry ingredients will begin to form the dough, so make sure it is fully mixed.
    • Use classic peanut butter instead of an all-natural peanut butter as that is more oily.
    • You can double the recipe if you want to make a larger batch and use a 9×13 rectangle dish.

    FAQ’s

    How to Store these Bars?

    These peanut butter bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or up to 4 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

    Can You freeze Peanut Butter Bars?

    Want to freeze some? Go right ahead and freeze in a freezer-safe container for 3-4 months. Then thaw on the counter or in the refrigerator when you are ready to eat.

    If you like this recipe, please leave us a comment and rate the recipe below. You can also find us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram!

    two squares of chocolate peanut butter bars with another bar being held over top of the stack.

    Peanut Butter Bars

    These Peanut Butter Bars are a quick and easy recipe that's made with simple ingredients and loved by every peanut butter lover. They’re a no bake dessert that combines classic flavors of chocolate and peanut butter in a very simple way.
    4.98 from 119 votes
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    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Chilling time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 25 bars
    Calories: 306kcal
    Author: Sherri Hagymas

    Equipment

    • Mixing Bowls
    • 8×8 Baking Dish
    • Parchment Paper
    • Electric Hand Mixer

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups creamy peanut butter
    • ½ cup unsalted butter softened (1 stick)
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 4-5 cups powdered sugar start with 4 cups and add more if too wet.
    • 1 ½ cups chocolate chips
    • 1 teaspoon coconut oil
    • 2 tablespoons festive sprinkles optional

    Instructions

    • Line an 8×8” or 9×9″ dish with parchment paper.
    • In a large bowl, add the peanut butter and softened butter and blend on medium speed with an electric hand mixer until smooth. (or use the the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment).
      2 cups creamy peanut butter, ½ cup unsalted butter
    • Next, add the vanilla extract and salt and blend to combine.
      2 teaspoons vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon salt
    • Gradually add the powdered sugar mixing on low speed in between each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as you add. start with 4 cups but you may need a little more if the peanut butter is too wet.
      4-5 cups powdered sugar
    • Mix just until the sugar is incorporated and the dough looks like large crumbles.
    • Pour the dough to the prepared pan and press it down into an even layer. For an extra smooth top, place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper over top and press the dough down until flat.
    • In medium microwave safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and coconut oil and heat for 30-seconds then stir and repeat for 2 other 30- intervals, stirring between each interval.
      1 ½ cups chocolate chips, 1 teaspoon coconut oil
    • Pour the melted chocolate over top of the peanut butter mixture and spread it out evenly.
    • Top with sprinkles while the chocolate is wet.
      2 tablespoons festive sprinkles
    • Place the bars in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to set.
    • Enjoy chilled or at room temperature.

    Notes

    More or less confectioners sugar may be needed depending on the peanut butter . You want the bars to hold together but aren’t too wet. Just be sure not to pack the measuring cup. Spoon the sugar into the measuring cup leaving it fluffy and lightly level off with a butter knife.
    Slice with a sharp, bladed knife to cut the bars into your desired size. For nice clean cuts, run warm water over the knife and and wipe the knife clean with a paper towel between each cut.
    Use a classic peanut butter and not an all- natural peanut butter which tends to be more oily.
    Use salted butter if desired but leave out the salt if you do.
    Use any kind of chocolate you would like. Semi-sweet, milk chocolate, dark chocolate or even white chocolate.
    Coconut oil helps give them a nice shine. Using refined coconut oil doesn’t give a coconut flavor. Omit this if you’d like.
    Decorate with any holiday sprinkles you’d like. Or simply top them with flakey sea salt for a great sweet and salty treat
    Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1bar | Calories: 306kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 143mg | Potassium: 118mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 138IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional Disclosure

    Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @ToSimplyInspire or tag #ToSimplyInspire!

    Sharing of this recipe to social media is both encouraged and appreciated. Please share the direct link back to the recipe. Copy/Pasting and/or screenshots of the recipe to any social media is strictly prohibited. Content and photographs are copyright protected

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    Filed Under: Desserts, Holiday Recipes, Recipes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tam

      December 19, 2022 at 5:13 pm

      Very easy and fun for any age to make. Who doesn’t love peanut butter!

      Reply
    2. Debbielee

      December 15, 2022 at 11:03 am

      4 stars
      looks liike a great treat away from Reese’s ! home made is always best!

      Reply
    3. De

      December 05, 2022 at 6:43 pm

      5 stars
      I love em! Simple to make . Big hit here. So good!1

      Reply
    4. Lisa

      December 02, 2022 at 12:16 pm

      Is 5 cups of icing sugar an accurate measurement?
      It seems like an awful lot.

      Reply
      • Linda Dailey

        December 22, 2022 at 7:09 pm

        My recipe is nearly the same as this one but i only use 3 3/4 cup powdered sugar.

        Reply
    5. Teresa

      November 24, 2022 at 9:22 pm

      Clearly too much powered sugar!

      Reply
    6. Kansas

      November 24, 2022 at 2:24 am

      Can I use chocolate frosting instead of melted chocolate chips?

      Reply
      • Peggy

        December 08, 2022 at 4:09 pm

        Can you use crunchy peanut butter. Please reply as I am reach to make

        Reply
    7. Kim

      November 23, 2022 at 3:01 pm

      Yummy but the chocolate cracked when I cut into squares. Any suggestions?

      Reply
      • Linda

        December 22, 2022 at 7:12 pm

        after you spread the chocolate on put in fridge for just few minute maybe 10 and cut it while the chocolate is still a bit soft

        Reply
    8. Ann

      November 15, 2022 at 11:26 am

      Why are they crumbly when eating them?

      Reply
      • Sherri

        November 15, 2022 at 11:34 am

        It could be a little too much powdered sugar was added? I use a food scale to measure. If you don’t have a food scale, use the spoon and knife leveling method so too much doesn’t get packed into the measuring cup.:)

        Reply
      • Belinda

        November 23, 2022 at 11:49 am

        Want to make but what is th best size pan to use 8 by 8 or 9by 9

        Reply
    9. Ann

      November 15, 2022 at 11:24 am

      For the peanut bars. Can I substitute the coconut oil with something else?

      Reply
      • Sherri

        November 15, 2022 at 11:34 am

        Yes, you can use vegetable oil or canola oil if you’d like. Or omit it altogether. It helps the chocolate spread easier and gives a nice little shine. 🙂

        Reply
    10. Laura

      November 14, 2022 at 7:57 am

      3 stars
      Tastes very good, but were kind of crumbly. Made them messy to eat.I will try again with less powdered sugar .

      Reply
    11. Kathy

      November 11, 2022 at 8:34 pm

      Can you share the recipe so I can print it with white background instead of black? Don’t want to waste that much black ink.

      Reply
    12. Janice

      November 11, 2022 at 8:31 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is so easy and everyone that likes peanut butter likes this. I had problems finding it. Thank you.

      Reply
    13. Glenna

      November 11, 2022 at 2:24 pm

      If you don’t have coconut oil can you use a little canola oil?

      Reply
      • Sherri

        November 11, 2022 at 2:42 pm

        You sure can!!

        Reply
    14. Bobbie Fretwell

      November 11, 2022 at 11:32 am

      5 stars
      Looks delicious

      Reply
    15. Shawna

      November 11, 2022 at 8:33 am

      5 stars
      Awesome recipe

      Reply
    16. Lisa Leitzel

      November 10, 2022 at 9:19 am

      I can’t wait to try this with my grandchildren, we will have so much fun. Eating will be the best part.

      Reply

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    Hi there! I’m Sherri I love creating a variety of easy recipes that anyone can make and enjoy! From healthy to comforting, I hope you find something that inspires you!.

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