Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars combine the rich, nutty flavor of peanut butter with the sweet indulgence of chocolate chips in a soft, chewy bar. These bars offer a delightful twist on traditional cookies, providing the same beloved flavors in a convenient, easy-to-make form.​

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe is perfect for those who appreciate the classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate. The bars are thick, chewy, and packed with flavor, making them an ideal treat for any occasion. Additionally, they are simple to prepare and can be made in advance, offering both convenience and deliciousness.​

Ingredients

• 1 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky)​

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened​

• 1 cup brown sugar, packed​

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract​

• 2 large eggs​Simply Recipes+1Shugary Sweets+1

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour​

• ½ teaspoon baking soda​

• ½ teaspoon salt​

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips​

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.​

2. Cream the Butters and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, peanut butter, and packed brown sugar. Use an electric mixer or whisk to beat the mixture until it becomes light and fluffy.​

3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the bowl. Continue mixing until the ingredients are fully incorporated and the batter is smooth.​

4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.​

5. Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to denser bars.​

6. Incorporate Chocolate Chips: Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.​

7. Transfer to Baking Pan: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.​

8. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.​

9. Cool and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, cut into squares and serve.​

Servings and Timing

• Prep Time: 15 minutes​

• Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes​

• Total Time: 35-40 minutes​

• Servings: Approximately 24 bars​

Variations

• Nutty Addition: For added texture and flavor, fold in ½ cup of chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, along with the chocolate chips.​

• Different Chocolate Chips: Experiment with different types of chocolate chips, such as milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even peanut butter chips, to customize the flavor to your liking.​

• Swirled Peanut Butter: For a marbled effect, reserve a few tablespoons of peanut butter and swirl it into the batter after spreading it in the pan.​

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store the cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.​

• Freezing: To freeze, place the cut bars in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen bars to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.​

• Reheating: If you prefer warm bars, microwave individual pieces for about 10-15 seconds until warmed through.​

FAQs

Can I use natural peanut butter in this recipe?

It’s recommended to use regular creamy or chunky peanut butter, as natural peanut butter can alter the texture and consistency of the bars due to its oil separation.​

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.​

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The bars are done when the edges are lightly browned, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Be careful not to overbake to maintain a soft and chewy texture.​

Can I add oats to this recipe?

Yes, you can add ½ cup of rolled oats to the batter for added texture and a slight nutty flavor.​

What can I use instead of chocolate chips?

You can use chocolate chunks, M&M’s, or other flavored baking chips, such as butterscotch or white chocolate, as alternatives to semi-sweet chocolate chips.​

Can I halve this recipe?

Yes, you can halve the ingredients and bake the batter in an 8×8-inch pan. Adjust the baking time accordingly, starting to check for doneness around 15-18 minutes.​

Are these bars suitable for freezing?

Yes, these bars freeze well. Ensure they are completely cooled before freezing, and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

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• Author: Olivia
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 24 bars
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are thick, chewy, and loaded with rich peanut butter flavor and melty chocolate chips! A quick, one-pan dessert that’s perfect for potlucks, parties, or weeknight sweet cravings. Keyword: Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

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Ingredients

• 1 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky)

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup brown sugar, packed

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 2 large eggs

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, beat together the peanut butter, softened butter, and brown sugar until smooth and creamy.

Add the vanilla extract and eggs, beating until fully combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually stir into the wet ingredients.

Fold in the chocolate chips.

Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan.

Bake for 22–25 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

Let cool before slicing into bars.

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Notes

• For extra decadence, sprinkle flaky sea salt on top after baking.

• Substitute chocolate chips with peanut butter chips or a combo of both!

• Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.