Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars
One bowl peanut butter chocolate chip bars! Soft and chewy and deliciously decadent served bite size…or warmed up with a little scoop of ice cream.
I really, really, really wish these glorious peanut butter chocolate chip bar cookies weren’t so easy…and so tasty.
Then I wouldn’t feel so bad about posting them the second week of January. But I DID try and warn you. Don’t check back around this time if you’re trying to new year’s resolute on healthy eating and all that.
I have plenty of healthy fare to make up for it the rest of the month, but I also think a little peanut butter and chocolate is good for the soul. Even in January. 🙂
There aren’t really any secrets to divulge about these babies. One bowl, one pan, bake ’em on up.
Your hardest decision is whether to dig in while they are warm and pile on some ice cream. But if you want to go the healthier route, let them cool, cut them into bite-size squares and maybe share a few.
My only recommendation is make sure not to overbake these peanut butter chocolate chip bars! Leave them a little soft and you’ll be very happy.
I haven’t tried using natural peanut butter in this recipe or swapping PB out for another nut butter. But I think you should if you feel so inclined. And also, I think popping some M&M’s on top pre- or post-baking would not be a bad idea at all either.
One Year Ago: Healthy Dark Chocolate Almond Joy Bites
Two Years Ago: Southwestern Chicken Barley Chili
Three Years Ago: Cheesy Black Bean Lasagna
Four Years Ago: Whole Grain Honey Bran Muffins
Five Years Ago: Amazing Spinach Salad with Sweet-Spicy Nuts, Apples, Feta and Bacon
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (170 g) salted butter
- ½ cup (128 g) creamy peanut butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups (318 g) packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (284 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups (340 g) chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9X13-inch metal baking pan with foil (the foil part is optional but helps the bars come out in one big slab after cooling and provides easy clean-up). Spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Whisk in the peanut butter, eggs, brown sugar and vanilla extract.
- Gently stir in the flour, baking soda and salt until just combined. Add the chocolate chips and stir until no dry streaks remain and the chips are evenly combined.
- Press the dough evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes until set in the middle and lightly browned on the edges. Don’t overbake! We’re going for soft and delicious here. Let cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
Notes
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe (originally published in my eCookbook that is no longer for sale)
I made these today according to the recipe, and they are delicious!
I like to make these with the chocolate chips on top and crushed pretzels over that. Utterly bonkers how good they are!
I made the batter using a blend of almond and tapioca flour and replaced half the butter with coconut oil. I used natural chunky peanut butter. The results were wonderfully chewy and gooey and rich and I am looking forward to eating the whole pan over the next week and a half.
These are so so good. I would definitely make these if having a peanut butter or chocolate craving or both. It would be good with dark chocolate chips.
I discovered I was out of chocolate chips only after I made the batter (noooooo!). Having past the point of no return I baked the bars, let them cool, and then topped with Nutella. DE-LI-CIOUS! Now I need to steel myself for the dreaded grocery store run… 😉
I made these with a mix of M&Ms and mini chocolate chips, and they were *incredible*. I love that I only had to clean one bowl rather than a bunch of bowls and pots. I can’t wait to make these again.
These were great!!! My family said they tasted like a snicker bar, but better. I made a couple of additions because of the altitude (I live at 6700 feet) and they turned out perfectly.
My family is already asking when I am going to make them again!
Thanks!
Can you share the changes you made for the rest of us high altitude bakers? Thanks!
Made these to take to a party and they were a hit. Will definitely be making these again!
Wonderful!! Chewy, and decadent. Will be a new go to for me when I want dessert with little fuss.
Can’t wait to try these bars. They look perfect. Do you have a favorite brand of chocolate chips you use? And, preference on dark, milk, semi sweet?
My favorite brands are ghirardelli and guittard and I almost always use semisweet.
I love these bars! The first time I did overtake slightly. They were still delicious but a little crumbly. The next times I made sure to take them out exactly as recommended & they are really fabulous.
I like to think they could almost be a breakfast bar! You know? The peanut butter means they have protein, so healthy, right?
Mel thank you for another winner. I will make them again to take to a girls weekend. They will also be lovely to snack on for the long drive.