Peanut Butter Bars (Print View)

Rich, chewy peanut butter bars with a graham cracker base and chocolate topping; chilled until set.

# What You'll Need:

→ Base

01 - 1 cup creamy peanut butter
02 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
03 - 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
04 - 2 cups powdered sugar

→ Chocolate Topping

05 - 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
06 - 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

# How to Make:

01 - Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on the sides to lift the bars out later.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the creamy peanut butter and melted unsalted butter until completely smooth and homogeneous.
03 - Add the graham cracker crumbs and powdered sugar to the peanut butter mixture. Stir vigorously until fully combined and no dry pockets remain.
04 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Press firmly and evenly into the corners using a spatula or your hands to create a uniform flat surface.
05 - In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips and remaining creamy peanut butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each interval, until melted and silky smooth.
06 - Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the peanut butter base. Use a spatula to spread it into an even, thin layer covering the entire surface.
07 - Refrigerate the assembled bars for at least 2 hours, or until the chocolate topping is firm to the touch and fully set.
08 - Lift the entire slab out of the dish using the parchment paper overhang. Place on a cutting board and slice into 16 even bars. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • No oven required, which means you can satisfy a dessert craving without heating up your entire home.
  • The contrast between the dense peanut butter base and that glossy chocolate top layer is genuinely addictive.
02 -
  • If you rush the chilling time, the chocolate layer will smear everywhere when you try to cut, so patience really pays off here.
  • Warming your knife under hot water and drying it between each cut gives you bakery perfect edges.
03 -
  • A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on the wet chocolate topping elevates the whole tray from good to extraordinary.
  • Press the base mixture while it is still slightly warm from the melted butter for the smoothest, most even layer.

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