Description
No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars are a quick and delicious treat combining a creamy peanut butter and butter base with a sweet graham cracker and powdered sugar mixture, topped with a smooth layer of chocolate and peanut butter. These bars require no baking, making them perfect for an easy dessert or snack that sets beautifully in the refrigerator.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Topping
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
Instructions
- Prepare Pan: Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out later.
- Mix Base Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup creamy peanut butter, melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, and powdered sugar. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Press Base: Evenly press the peanut butter mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish forming a firm, solid layer.
- Melt Topping: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips together with 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter by heating in 20-30 second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth. Alternatively, melt over a double boiler to avoid burning.
- Spread Topping: Pour the melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture over the peanut butter base and spread uniformly using a spatula.
- Chill: Refrigerate the bars for a minimum of 2 hours until the chocolate topping hardens and the bars are fully set.
- Serve: Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the set bars out of the dish and cut into 16 squares or rectangles for serving.
Notes
- You can substitute crunchy peanut butter if you prefer a textured base.
- For a dairy-free version, use vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate chips.
- If you don’t have parchment paper, lightly grease the baking dish but lifting the bars may be harder.
- The bars can be stored refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week.
- Try adding a pinch of salt to the base mixture for a salted peanut butter flavor.
