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Peanut Butter Bars

These irresistible Peanut Butter Cookie Bars feature a rich, chewy texture with the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors. With a buttery peanut base and optional chocolate chips throughout, these bars deliver all the comfort of traditional peanut butter cookies in a convenient, easy-to-serve bar form that's perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying as a special treat.

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Peanut Butter Bars - main view
Chef profile

JUE

Enjoy home-cooked meals made with love and shared from a family kitchen.

Chef's Essential Tips

Essential Ingredients Selection

Creating Your Masterpiece

Perfect Peanut Butter Integration:
Thoroughly mixing peanut butter with melted butter creates a smooth, cohesive base.
Proper Batter Consistency:
Careful mixing ensures a thick, rich dough that will bake into chewy, not cakey, bars.
Even Pan Distribution:
Taking time to spread the thick batter evenly ensures uniform cooking and perfect texture.
Precise Baking Timing:
Removing bars while slightly underdone in the center achieves the signature soft, chewy texture.
Peanut Butter Bars - secondary view

How to Create Perfect Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

Perfect Peanut Butter Integration
Thoroughly mixing peanut butter with melted butter creates a smooth, cohesive base.
Proper Batter Consistency
Careful mixing ensures a thick, rich dough that will bake into chewy, not cakey, bars.
Even Pan Distribution
Taking time to spread the thick batter evenly ensures uniform cooking and perfect texture.
Precise Baking Timing
Removing bars while slightly underdone in the center achieves the signature soft, chewy texture.
Baking Tips
For extra peanut flavor, use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy.
Don't overbake these bars – they should remain slightly soft in the center for the perfect chewy texture.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
For a festive twist, add peanut butter chips or butterscotch chips along with the chocolate chips.
Allow ingredients to come to room temperature before mixing for the best texture.
For clean-cut squares, refrigerate the bars for 30 minutes before cutting.
Peanut Butter Bars - tertiary view

Peanut Butter Bars

These irresistible Peanut Butter Cookie Bars feature a rich, chewy texture with the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors. With a buttery peanut base and optional chocolate chips throughout, these bars deliver all the comfort of traditional peanut butter cookies in a convenient, easy-to-serve bar form that's perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying as a special treat.

Italian Cream Stuffed Cannoncini
Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes
Chef
JUE
Category
Dessert
Difficulty
Medium
Cuisine
American
Yield
16 bars
Dietary
Vegetarian
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Ingredients

Custard Cream
01
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
02
1 cup creamy peanut butter
03
3/4 cup granulated sugar
04
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
05
2 large eggs, room temperature
06
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
07
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
08
1 teaspoon baking powder
09
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
10
1/2 teaspoon salt
11
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
12
1/4 cup chopped peanuts (optional, for topping)
13
Flaky sea salt (optional, for topping)

Instructions

01
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal.
02
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and peanut butter until smooth and well combined.
03
Add both granulated and brown sugars to the peanut butter mixture and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
04
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
05
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
06
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix.
07
If using, fold in chocolate chips, reserving a small handful for topping.
08
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. The mixture will be thick, so use a spatula to press it into the corners.
09
If desired, sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips and chopped peanuts on top, then lightly press them into the batter.
10
For a decorative touch, use a fork to make crosshatch marks on the surface, similar to traditional peanut butter cookies.
11
Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if using.
12
Bake for 22-25 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (but not wet batter).
13
Allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into bars.
14
Once cooled, lift out using the parchment paper overhang and cut into 16 squares.