One rainy afternoon, I watched my kids play board games in the living room while the sound of rain tapped steadily against the windows. My husband was flipping through an old cookbook we had picked up at a small market during a trip a few years ago. Suddenly, my daughter looked up and asked if I could make something sweet and quick—something that would feel like a warm hug in a bar form.
That sparked a memory of a recipe my grandmother used to make when I was a child, blending peanut butter and chocolate chips into chewy, irresistible bars. I decided to give it a try, mixing the familiar comfort of peanut butter with the rich sweetness of chocolate chips.
While the bars baked, the house filled with the warm, nutty aroma that instantly brought back family moments—my grandmother’s kitchen filled with laughter, my brother sneaking bites before dinner, and my best friend stopping by after school for a quick treat. Those bars became a quiet tradition on our rainy weekends, perfect for sharing with family and friends during cozy afternoons or simple celebrations.
Today, I’m excited to share that same recipe with you—simple, comforting, and packed with flavor, just like those afternoons spent laughing and snacking together.
Short Description
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars combine creamy peanut butter with semi-sweet chocolate chips in a chewy, soft bar perfect for snacks or dessert. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, these bars satisfy sweet cravings with rich, nutty flavor and melty chocolate in every bite.
Key Ingredients
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup white sugar
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup peanut butter chips
- 1–2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (adjust to taste)
- Optional: chopped Reese’s Cups or Reese’s Pieces
Tools Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Parchment paper or non-stick spray
- Spatula
- Wire cooling rack
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease your 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal after baking.
Step 2: Cream the Butters and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and peanut butter until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add the white sugar and light brown sugar, mixing until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract until evenly mixed.
Step 4: Mix in Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry mix to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
Step 5: Fold in Chips
Carefully fold in peanut butter chips and chocolate chips. For extra indulgence, add chopped Reese’s Cups or Reese’s Pieces at this stage.
Step 6: Press into Pan
Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan. Use your hands or a spatula to press the dough evenly across the pan, creating a uniform thickness.
Step 7: Bake
Place in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes. The edges should be golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter.
Step 8: Cool and Slice
Remove the pan and allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cool, slice into squares or rectangles and enjoy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
– Irresistibly chewy with gooey chocolate pockets
– Combines peanut butter richness and chocolate decadence
– Great for bake sales, potlucks, or make-ahead treats
– Freezer-friendly and easy to reheat
– Versatile—customize with your favorite mix-ins
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Overmixing the dough: Mixing too long can make the bars tough. Stir just until the flour disappears for soft, tender bars.
Using cold eggs: Cold eggs can cause the batter to curdle or mix unevenly. Bring eggs to room temperature beforehand.
Overbaking: Bars that bake too long will dry out. Check at 25 minutes and test with a toothpick. Slightly underbaking keeps them chewy.
Not softening butter: Hard butter won’t cream properly. Let butter sit out for 30 minutes or soften gently in the microwave.
Skipping parchment paper: Without lining the pan, bars might stick and break when sliced. Use parchment for smooth removal.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
– Serve warm with a glass of cold milk or hot coffee
– Plate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert-style treat
– Pack in lunchboxes or picnic baskets
– Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking for contrast
– Great addition to holiday cookie platters or family-style dessert tables
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat, warm in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften, or let thaw at room temperature before serving.
Avoid reheating too long or bars will become dry.
FAQs
1. Can I substitute natural peanut butter?
Yes, but natural peanut butter has more oil, which can affect texture. Use a bit less oil elsewhere or add 1 tablespoon more flour if dough feels too wet.
2. Can I use gluten-free flour?
Absolutely! Use a gluten-free all-purpose blend. Texture might vary slightly but flavor remains great.
3. What’s the best way to store leftover bars?
Airtight container at room temperature is ideal. Refrigerate if your kitchen is warm.
4. Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Yes, chopped peanuts or walnuts can be folded in with the chips for extra crunch.
5. How can I make these bars less sweet?
Reduce white sugar to ½ cup and semi-sweet chocolate chips to 1 cup, or use dark chocolate chips for a richer, less sweet flavor.
Tips & Tricks
For even baking, press dough evenly in the pan, avoiding thick or thin spots.
Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking if you want firmer bars with less spreading.
Swap half the white sugar for coconut sugar for a subtle caramel note.
Toast peanut butter chips lightly in the oven before folding in to enhance their flavor.
Recipe Variations
Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Bars: Use half the peanut butter in the dough, then swirl extra peanut butter over the top before baking. Bake as usual for a marbled effect.
Vegan Version: Replace butter with vegan margarine, use flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg), and choose dairy-free chocolate chips.
Spicy Kick Bars: Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dry ingredients for a subtle warmth that balances the sweetness.
Crunchy Granola Bars: Fold in ½ cup granola along with chips for extra texture and a breakfast-friendly twist.
Final Thoughts
Watching my kids dive into these peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bars, faces lighting up with every bite, reminds me how food can bring everyone closer. These bars are more than just a dessert; they’re a little moment of joy, a connection to the past, and a simple way to make any day feel special.
Sharing this recipe feels like passing along a small piece of that warmth, hoping it will fill your kitchen with the same sweet memories and happiness.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup white sugar
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup peanut butter chips
- 1 –2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips adjust to taste
- Optional: chopped Reese’s Cups or Reese’s Pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper.
- Beat softened butter and peanut butter until smooth. Add white and brown sugars; mix until fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix into wet ingredients until just combined.
- Fold in peanut butter chips and chocolate chips. Optionally add chopped Reese’s Cups or Pieces.
- Spread dough evenly in the prepared pan using hands or spatula.
- Bake 25–30 minutes until edges are golden and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
- Cool completely on a wire rack, then cut into bars and serve.
