Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars combine the rich, creamy flavor of peanut butter with melty chocolate chips in a soft, buttery base. They are easy to make and perfect for a sweet treat any time of day.

Ingredients

• 1 cup salted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups light brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ¾ cup creamy peanut butter

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and set it aside.
2. Step 2: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and both sugars together until creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Step 3: Add the eggs and vanilla extract, then beat until the mixture is well blended.
4. Step 4: Stir in the flour and baking soda until combined.
5. Step 5: Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips gently to distribute evenly.
6. Step 6: Spread half of the dough evenly using your fingertips across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
7. Step 7: Dollop the creamy peanut butter over the dough in spoonfuls. Do not spread; just drop teaspoon or tablespoon-sized amounts to create pockets of peanut butter.
8. Step 8: Top with the remaining dough, pressing gently—it’s fine if some peanut butter peeks through.
9. Step 9: Bake for 24 to 28 minutes until golden and set. Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan.
10. Step 10: Once cooled, cut into bars and enjoy your delicious treat.

Tips & Variations

• Use standard creamy peanut butter brands like Jif or Skippy for the best texture and flavor, avoiding natural varieties that can separate.
• Don’t spread the peanut butter before baking; dropping it in dollops creates delightful swirls in each bar.
• If you only have unsalted butter, add 1 teaspoon of kosher salt to the dry ingredients to enhance flavor.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months. To enjoy, thaw at room temperature. These bars are best served once fully cooled.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use natural peanut butter instead of creamy?

It’s best to use traditional creamy peanut butter like Jif or Skippy. Natural peanut butter tends to separate and can affect the texture and consistency of the bars.

How do I prevent the bars from becoming too dry?

Make sure not to overbake. Remove the bars as soon as they are golden and set. Also, using the correct amount of butter and sugars helps keep the bars moist and tender.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 118 reviews

These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars combine rich, creamy peanut butter swirls with luscious semi-sweet chocolate chips in a soft, chewy bar. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, these bars offer the classic flavors of peanut butter and chocolate in an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing treat.

• Author: Hannah
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 24 bars 1x
• Category: Brownies and Bars
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup salted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¾ cup creamy peanut butter (traditional, like Jif or Skippy, not natural)

Dry Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups light brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

Mix-ins

• 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and set it aside.
2. Cream butter and sugars: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with light brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is creamy and smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add eggs and vanilla: Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract, beating until well blended and smooth.
4. Add dry ingredients: Stir in the all-purpose flour and baking soda until just combined, careful not to overmix.
5. Fold in chocolate chips: Gently fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the dough for an even distribution of chocolate.
6. Assemble bars with peanut butter: Spread half of the cookie dough evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish using your fingertips. Dollop the creamy peanut butter over the dough using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop or teaspoons, dropping it in small mounds without spreading it out.
7. Add remaining dough: Carefully top the peanut butter dollops with the remaining cookie dough. It’s okay if some peanut butter shows through.
8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 24-28 minutes, until the bars are lightly golden and set.
9. Cool and serve: Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars to ensure neat cuts and perfect texture.

Notes

• Use traditional creamy peanut butter brands like Jif or Skippy instead of natural peanut butter for best texture and flavor.
• Do not spread out the peanut butter on the dough. Leaving it in dollops provides the perfect creamy swirl in each bite.
• Make sure bars are completely cooled before cutting to avoid crumbling.
• Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
• If using unsalted butter, add 1 teaspoon kosher salt with the flour for balanced seasoning.

Keywords: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars, Chocolate Chip Bars, Peanut Butter Bars, Easy Dessert Bars, No-Frosting Bars, Chewy Bars