These no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars are a homemade take on classic peanut butter cups. With just five ingredients, they’re perfect for any peanut butter fan.
I love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter — a peanut butter cup is my ultimate treat. The balance of salty, creamy peanut butter and chocolate is simply unbeatable.
These chocolate peanut butter bars are effortless. They don’t require an oven, they taste incredible, and they use just five ingredients. That makes them one of the easiest and most satisfying treats to prepare.
Simple recipes often produce the best results: few steps, familiar ingredients and reliable results. I make these every Christmas and they always disappear first. (Yes, Christmas is months away, but sometimes cravings strike!)
Because the recipe uses only five ingredients, you may already have everything on hand. To begin, beat together peanut butter, butter and the sugars until the mixture is crumbly and sandy — not spreadable. The exact amount of icing (confectioners’) sugar depends on your peanut butter brand and desired sweetness. Press the crumbly mixture into a lined 8-inch square pan. Avoid natural, whipped, or old-fashioned peanut butter varieties, since excess oil can cause the filling to separate.
Next, melt the chocolate with a little butter and pour it over the peanut butter layer. Adding butter to the melted chocolate gives a subtle shine and makes the bars easier to slice. After the chocolate sets, cut into squares and enjoy. I usually cut mine into 16 squares, although sometimes a fork wins out!
Peanut butter & chocolate. Chocolate & peanut butter. Three words never sounded so tempting.
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
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Ingredients
- 3/4 cup peanut butter, such as Jiff or Skippy — not natural or old-fashioned
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter + 2 teaspoons for the chocolate
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups icing (confectioners’) sugar, depending on the peanut butter and desired sweetness
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips, milk, semi-sweet, or dark
Instructions
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Line an 8- or 9-inch square pan with foil or parchment and set aside.
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In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat together the peanut butter, 3 tablespoons butter, brown sugar and the icing sugar. Use 1 1/2 to 2 cups of icing sugar depending on your peanut butter and preferred sweetness. The mixture should be crumbly and sandy. Press it firmly into the prepared pan.
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Melt the chocolate chips with the remaining 2 teaspoons of butter in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water, or microwave in short 30-second bursts, stirring between each. Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer and spread evenly.
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Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature. Once firm, lift the bars from the pan using the foil or parchment and cut into 16 squares.
Notes
Nutrition
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For more easy peanut butter treats:
- 4 Ingredient Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies
- No Bake Rocky Road Bars
- Confetti Squares
- No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
- Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
What are your favorite chocolate peanut butter combinations?