This is a no-bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars Easy to make with sherry, butter and only 5 ingredients. They taste just like peanut butter cups, with a crunchy peanut butter filling on the top layer of chocolate!
Thirsty for more dessert bar recipes? try me magic bar (You also know them as 7-layer bars) and these are chewy Peanut Butter Passion Bar.
Why You'll Love These Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Is there anything better than chocolate and peanut butter? Not at my house, not there. I recently revisited these Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars as a last minute dessert. Boy, did they disappear fast! Here's why you'll want to do these bars ASAP:
- Butter and chocolate. In short, you take a thick layer of crunchy peanut butter and cover it with chocolate. These Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars were inspired by Paula Deen's recipe (love her!) Total Bliss.
- Give your oven a rest. This is a no-bake dessert, so the oven can accommodate it. I like to make these bars when I entertain, or on holidays, when my stove is otherwise occupied Baked ham or a Casserole.
- 5 ingredients. Desserts don't get much simpler, or better. There's a good chance you already have the ingredients for these chocolate peanut butter bars waiting in your pantry.
Materials you will need
If you know Paula Deen, you know these dessert bars are loaded with butter! I just learned to embrace it. Although I've tweaked her original recipe for my own convenience and included some ingredient notes here. You'll find a printable list on the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- butter – Salted or unsalted will work here. Take your sticks of butter out of the fridge to soften before you begin. You can also use margarine.
- Nut butter – Use smooth or crunchy peanut butter (I like the extra texture that comes with crunchy). Whichever you choose, make sure it's shelf-stable peanut butter and not the natural kind, which makes these bars greasy.
- powdered sugar – Also called confectioner's sugar. Sifting the sugar beforehand removes any lumps and keeps the peanut butter filling smooth.
- Graham Cracker Crumbs – Cookie crumbs help bind the filling ingredients so the bars hold together. You can also use crushed Nila wafers or Ritz crackers for a sweet-salty combination.
- Chocolate chip – You will melt semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate) for the top layer of chocolate.
How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
I get so excited about these buttery bars loaded with chocolate that I sometimes forget they need time to set. Here's a quick step-by-step guide on how to make the best chocolate and peanut butter bars. Scroll down to the recipe card for printable instructions.
- Prepare the filling. Start by mixing the peanut butter with the butter, sugar, and graham crackers in a food processor.
- Combine the bars. Press the mixture into a lightly greased casserole dish. Next, melt the chocolate in the microwave. Spread it over the peanut butter layer.
- chill Let the bars rest while the chocolate cools completely and then refrigerate them.
Add toppings
I love changing up these chocolate peanut butter bars with different garnishes. The trick is to add any toppings while the melted chocolate is still wet. Sprinkle with chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, chopped nuts, crushed pretzels or rainbow sprinkles.
After the chocolate has set, you can also drizzle the top of your bars with icing, Fudge sauceor Homemade Caramel Sauce.
Tips and variations
- Grease the pan only lightly. Coat the baking dish or pan you are using with cooking spray and then wipe off the excess grease with a paper towel. This way the bottom of the bars won't be too greasy.
- Bar cool. Many chocolate peanut butter bar recipes recommend serving at room temperature. However, I have always found that these bars set up better when cold. They are less sticky and easier to handle. Feel free to serve at whatever temperature works best for you.
- Add a touch of honey. Sweeten these bars with honey, like I do in mine Chocolate and Honey Peanut Butter Bars (Another easy no-bake recipe!)
- Give these bars a cookie crust. These chocolate peanut butter bars are very much my Girl Scout cookie-inspired Tagalog times. In that recipe, I swap out the graham crackers for a baked shortbread crust before adding a peanut butter filling and chocolate. You may also like these Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Bars.
How long do these peanut butter bars last?
- Keep in fridge. Store your chocolate peanut butter bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
- To freeze. These bars can be frozen for up to 2 months. Wrap them tightly in a double layer of plastic wrap or store in a freezer bag. Defrost in refrigerator before serving.
More dessert bar recipes
description
These are dreamy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars A delicious no-bake dessert idea! Made with just 5 ingredients, you'll hit these crunchy dessert bars for every occasion
- 1 cup (2 stick) butter or margarine, softened
- 1 cup Crushed peanut butter
- 3 cups Sifted confectioners' sugar
- 1 1/2 cups Graham cracker crumbs
- 1 1/2 cups Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
- Lightly spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray and then wipe it with a paper towel, so your pan is lightly coated but your bars aren't greasy.
- Combine butter, peanut butter, sugar and graham cracker crumbs in a food processor. Process the mixture until it forms a ball. Press into the pan using your hands or a spatula.
- Microwave the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe glass dish on high (100%) for 1 minute. Stir. If chocolate is not completely melted, microwave for 10 seconds, then stir. Spread evenly over the cookie layer with a spatula. Refrigerate for a few hours.
Comment
- Recipe adapted from Paula Deen.
- Don't let the bars sit at room temperature too long, or they'll be too soft to pick up.
