Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Short Description

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a delightful fusion of two classic flavors: rich, creamy peanut butter and sweet, melty chocolate chips. These bars boast a soft, chewy texture and are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth or sharing at gatherings. Easy to prepare and even easier to enjoy, they’re a must-try for dessert lovers.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple Preparation: Requires basic pantry ingredients and straightforward steps.

• Perfect Texture: Soft and chewy with just the right amount of density.

• Flavorful Combination: The classic pairing of peanut butter and chocolate never disappoints.

• Versatile Serving: Ideal for parties, potlucks, or as an everyday treat.

• Make-Ahead Friendly: Can be prepared in advance and stored for later enjoyment.

Ingredients

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

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

• ½ cup light brown sugar

• ½ cup dark brown sugar

• 2 large eggs, room temperature

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• ¾ cup creamy peanut butter

• 1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chipsShugary Sweets+3Taffey Bakery+3Olives + Thyme+3Olives + Thyme+2Mel’s Kitchen Cafe+2Spend With Pennies+2

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.

2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter, light brown sugar, and dark brown sugar until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, whisking until the mixture is well combined and slightly frothy.Taffey Bakery

4. Incorporate Peanut Butter: Stir the creamy peanut butter into the wet mixture until fully integrated.

5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure a tender texture.

6. Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, reserving a handful to sprinkle on top if desired.

7. Transfer to Baking Pan: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips on top.Taffey Bakery

8. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 28–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

9. Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, lift them out using the parchment overhang and cut into squares.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 9 bars

• Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Cook Time: 28–35 minutes

• Total Time: Approximately 50 minutesTaffey BakerySpend With Pennies+1Allrecipes+1

Variations

• Nutty Crunch: Add ½ cup of chopped peanuts or walnuts for extra texture.

• Swirled Delight: Drop dollops of additional peanut butter on top before baking and swirl with a knife for a marbled effect.

• Different Chips: Substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with milk, dark, or white chocolate chips.

• Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

• Freezing: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

• Reheating: Warm individual bars in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to restore their soft texture.

FAQs

Can I use natural peanut butter in this recipe?

It’s recommended to use traditional creamy peanut butter, as natural peanut butter can separate and affect the texture of the bars.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, doubling the ingredients and using a 9×13-inch baking pan will yield more bars. Adjust the baking time accordingly, checking for doneness with a toothpick.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The bars are done when the edges are golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

Can I add oats to this recipe?

Yes, adding ½ cup of rolled oats can provide additional texture and a slight nutty flavor.

Are these bars suitable for freezing?

Absolutely. Wrap them individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

Can I use a different type of nut butter?

Yes, almond or cashew butter can be used as substitutes, though the flavor profile will change slightly.

What type of chocolate chips work best?

Semi-sweet chocolate chips are recommended, but you can experiment with milk, dark, or white chocolate chips based on your preference.

Do I need to refrigerate the dough before baking?

No, this recipe does not require chilling the dough before baking.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

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• Author: Olivia
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 24 bars
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are soft, chewy, and packed with rich peanut butter flavor and gooey chocolate chips. Perfect for bake sales, after-school snacks, or peanut butter lovers everywhere—easy to make and impossible to resist!

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Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

• 1 cup brown sugar, packed

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1 1/2 cups semisweet 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 medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

• In a large bowl, cream together butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

• Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla.

• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until fully combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

• Spread dough evenly into prepared pan and smooth the top.

• Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

• Cool completely before slicing into bars.

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Notes

• Add chopped peanuts for extra crunch.

• Swap semisweet chips with milk or dark chocolate for variety.

• These bars freeze well for up to 3 months.