If you happen to like peanut butter cups, you may LOVE these no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars. They’re wealthy, decadent, and simple to make with 5 elements!
It’s laborious to eat simply one in every of these no-bake peanut butter bars. …Which is smart, as a result of they’re like an excellent higher model of a Reese’s peanut butter cup. A crisp chocolate layer tops a wealthy, fudgy peanut butter base. If you happen to’re something like me, you’ll end one sq. after which return to the pan for an additional sliver…after which one other.
Apart from the truth that they’re scrumptious, I’ve been loving these chocolate peanut butter bars for a couple of causes this summer time.
- They’re no-bake, so that you don’t must warmth up the home in an effort to make them.
- They’re SO simple. Simply 5 elements!
- The recipe is tremendous kid-friendly! Our baby loves mixing collectively the peanut butter layer and urgent it into the pan.
Many comparable recipes for chocolate peanut butter bars say you could’t make them with pure peanut butter, however I’m joyful to report that this one comes out nice with it. I hope you like this simple no-bake deal with!
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars Elements
You simply want 5 elements to make this peanut butter bars recipe:
- Graham cracker crumbs – They offer the peanut butter layer its construction and add yummy graham cracker taste. Use store-bought graham cracker crumbs or make your individual within the meals processor from about 8 full graham cracker sheets. Use gluten-free graham cracker crumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Powdered sugar – It sweetens the peanut butter layer and helps bind it collectively.
- Salted butter – For wealthy, buttery taste. Vegan butter works right here too!
- Creamy peanut butter – You’ll use some within the peanut butter layer and extra within the chocolate topping.
- And chocolate chips – I like to make use of darkish chocolate chips right here. If you happen to favor sweeter chocolate, be happy to make use of semi-sweet chocolate chips as an alternative.
Discover the entire recipe with measurements under.
Finest Peanut Butter to Use
I like to make use of creamy pure peanut butter on this recipe.
Simply ensure that it’s well-stirred and easy. The dry, stiff peanut butter that you simply typically discover on the backside of a jar gained’t work right here. It must be runny to bind the peanut butter layer collectively.
Find out how to Make Peanut Butter Bars
Step one on this recipe is making the peanut butter layer.
If you happen to aren’t utilizing store-bought graham cracker crumbs, make your individual. Break 8 graham cracker sheets into items and place them in a meals processor. Pulse till they break down into nice crumbs.
Measure 1 1/2 cups of the graham cracker crumbs and place them in a big bowl. Add the powdered sugar and stir to mix. Then, add the peanut butter and melted butter and blend till properly mixed.
Press the peanut butter combination into an 8×8-inch pan lined with parchment paper.
Subsequent, make the chocolate layer.
Mix the chocolate chips and a pair of tablespoons peanut butter in a microwave-safe medium bowl.
Soften the chocolate and peanut butter collectively by microwaving on excessive, stirring each 20 seconds.
When the chocolate combination is easy, pour it on prime of the peanut butter layer and evenly unfold it over the bars. (An offset spatula is nice for this!)
Lastly, chill the peanut butter bars in a single day within the fridge, or till the chocolate is agency and the peanut butter layer is totally set.
Slice and revel in!
Recipe Ideas
- Don’t skimp on the chilling time. The chocolate will arrange after just some hours, however the peanut butter layer wants 8 hours or extra to change into fully agency. Wanting on the chocolate layer, it may be tempting to slice the bars sooner. Whereas they’ll nonetheless style nice, they’ve the most effective, most cohesive texture after a full in a single day chill.
- Slice them with a big sharp knife. Because the chocolate units up, it turns into agency and snappy. It may crack if you happen to attempt to slice the bars with a too small or uninteresting knife. You’ll get probably the most even bars if you happen to use a big sharp knife to chop them.
Storage
These no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars maintain properly in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as per week.
In addition they freeze properly for as much as 3 months. Switch them to the fridge to thaw in a single day.
Extra Peanut Butter Recipes
If you happen to love these chocolate peanut butter bars, attempt one in every of these yummy peanut butter recipes subsequent:
Peanut Butter Bars
Serves 16
These no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars style even higher than peanut butter cups! Made with simply 5 elements, they’re a simple, scrumptious deal with.
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs, 6 ounces, from about 8 full graham cracker sheets
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted if lumpy
- ½ cup salted butter, 1 stick, melted, plus extra for the pan
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter, plus 2 tablespoons for the chocolate layer
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Forestall your display from going darkish
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Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper.
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In a big bowl, stir collectively the graham cracker crumbs and powdered sugar. Add the melted butter and 1 cup peanut butter and blend till properly mixed.
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Use your palms to evenly press the peanut butter combination into the ready pan.
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In a medium microwave-safe bowl, mix the chocolate chips and the remaining 2 tablespoons peanut butter. Microwave on excessive, stirring each 20 seconds, till the combination is easy. Evenly unfold over the peanut butter layer.
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Refrigerate the bars in a single day, or till the chocolate is agency and the peanut butter layer is totally set. The chocolate will arrange sooner, however the peanut butter layer requires a full in a single day chill. Slice and serve.
To make these bars vegan, use vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate chips.
To make them gluten-free, use gluten-free graham cracker crumbs.
