Sink your teeth into these irresistibly chewy, sweet, and nutty Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, the perfect treat for any occasion. These easy-to-make dessert bars strike a delicious balance between creamy peanut butter and melty chocolate chips, all delivered in a thick, soft-baked square. Whether you’re serving them at a party or sneaking one as a late-night snack, these bars promise pure joy in every bite. There’s just something magical about that classic peanut butter and chocolate combo—it’s comforting, nostalgic, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t believe how just a handful of pantry staples come together to create something so incredibly satisfying. Each ingredient in these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars has a role, working together to build that delightfully fudgy, rich texture and deep flavor.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup, melted): Adds moisture and richness, creating that perfectly chewy texture and just the right amount of snap on the edges.
- Creamy peanut butter (½ cup): The flavor star, lending a nutty, salty depth that pairs fabulously with chocolate.
- Brown sugar (¾ cup): Brings a lovely caramel note and helps keep the bars extra soft and chewy.
- Granulated sugar (¼ cup): Boosts sweetness and supports that classic cookie bar structure.
- Large egg (1): Binds everything together while adding richness and structure to the finished bars.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances every flavor in the mix and provides a beautiful aroma.
- All-purpose flour (1¼ cups): Gives the bars their shape and keeps them thick and satisfying.
- Baking powder (½ teaspoon): Adds just a touch of lift so your bars don’t get too dense.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and sharpens the other flavors—never skip it!
- Semisweet chocolate chips (1 cup): Every bite bursts with gooey chocolate pockets; feel free to be generous here.
How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Step 1: Prep the Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, which ensures everything bakes up evenly. Grab an 8×8-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper or a light coating of nonstick spray. This is your ticket to easy lifting and slicing later, without any sticky surprises.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter, creamy peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture looks smooth and glossy. Mixing while the butter is still a bit warm helps everything blend better—just be sure it’s not hot enough to cook the egg in the next step!
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Crack in your egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Whisk until completely combined. You’ll notice the texture turn a little thicker and even creamier—this is what gives Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars their luscious bite.
Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Take an extra ten seconds to mix thoroughly, so there aren’t any pockets of baking powder or salt hiding out—nobody wants a salty surprise!
Step 5: Bring Everything Together
Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, stirring gently with a spatula or wooden spoon. Patience is key here! Keep mixing just until no streaks of flour remain. The dough will be quite thick, but that’s exactly what helps these bars hold their shape.
Step 6: Fold in the Chocolate Chips
Fold in those beautiful chocolate chips, making sure they’re evenly distributed. You want every square to be studded with chocolate surprises. If you’re feeling fancy, reserve a few chips to sprinkle on top just before baking.
Step 7: Spread and Bake
Scoop the dough into your prepared pan and use a spatula to spread it evenly from edge to edge. Smooth the top for a uniform bake. Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 22 to 25 minutes. The edges should turn golden while the center looks just set—take care not to overbake, as you want the insides soft and chewy.
Step 8: Cool and Slice
Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares. Waiting may be torture, but it ensures clean cuts and keeps all those melty chocolate morsels where they belong. Now, enjoy every delicious, gooey bite!
How to Serve Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Garnishes
For an extra flourish, scatter a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a handful of chopped roasted peanuts over the warm bars. This brings out the flavors and adds a pleasant crunch that complements the soft, chewy base.
Side Dishes
Pair these bars with a cold glass of milk for the classic treat experience, or serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for something truly indulgent. Coffee and hot chocolate also make perfect companions, especially if you’re savoring these bars for dessert or a midday pick-me-up.
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting the bars into fun bite-size cubes for party platters, or sandwich a scoop of ice cream between two squares for an out-of-this-world ice cream sandwich. If you’re feeling fancy, drizzle with melted chocolate or peanut butter for an extra special touch. These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are as versatile as they are delicious!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. The bars will stay soft and chewy, and the flavors even seem to deepen after a day or two. You can also store them in the refrigerator for a firmer texture—just let them sit out a bit before serving.
Freezing
If you want to make a batch ahead, these bars freeze beautifully! Simply wrap individual portions or the whole batch tightly in plastic wrap and pop them into a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep fresh for up to three months. Defrost at room temperature whenever you’re ready for a treat.
Reheating
Enjoy that fresh-from-the-oven taste by microwaving a bar for about 10 seconds. The chocolate melts just enough, and the crumb softens, making them taste like they were just baked. They’re especially heavenly with a scoop of ice cream on top after warming!
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter will add a bit more texture and extra peanutty goodness. If you love a little crunch in your bars, go for it—just be sure to stir well so those peanuts are evenly distributed.
Can these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars be made gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in equal measure. The rest of the recipe works as written, so everyone can enjoy a delicious gluten-free treat.
Do I have to use semisweet chocolate chips?
Nope! You can use whatever chocolate you prefer—milk, dark, or even a blend. White chocolate chips or butterscotch chips are also fun additions if you’re looking to mix things up.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?
You’ll want the edges to look golden and the center to be set, but not dry. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs attached—overbaking will make them less chewy and more cake-like.
Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd?
Definitely! Simply double all ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. Keep an eye on the baking time—it may need an extra 4-6 minutes, but all the ooey-gooey goodness will scale up beautifully.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a foolproof, insanely satisfying dessert, these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are the answer. With their unmatched peanut butter richness and gooey pockets of chocolate, they’re truly hard to resist. Bake up a batch and share them with loved ones—they may just become everyone’s new favorite treat!
Print
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a delicious treat that combines the rich flavors of peanut butter and chocolate in a chewy, easy-to-make bar. Perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients
For the Cookie Bars:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine melted butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until fully combined.
- Add chocolate chips: Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Bake: Spread the dough in the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 22–25 minutes until edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool and slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.
Notes
- For extra texture, consider adding chopped peanuts or using crunchy peanut butter.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
