Peanut Butter Cookie Bars Recipe

Introduction

These peanut butter cookie bars combine the rich, creamy flavor of peanut butter with melty chocolate chips for a perfect sweet treat. Easy to make and wonderfully chewy, they’re great for sharing or keeping all to yourself.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1½ cups light brown sugar (tightly packed)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg + 1 large egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 cups chocolate chips (semisweet or milk chocolate)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, or lightly grease and flour the pan to prevent sticking.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to cream together the softened butter, peanut butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is fluffy and well combined.
3. Step 3: Mix in the large egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
4. Step 4: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until the dough comes together and no flour remains visible.
6. Step 6: Stir in the milk to loosen the dough slightly and ensure even texture.
7. Step 7: Fold in the chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough.
8. Step 8: Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and spread it out evenly using a spatula.
9. Step 9: Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
10. Step 10: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares and serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of cinnamon or a splash of bourbon to the batter.
• Use crunchy peanut butter if you prefer a bit of texture in the bars.
• Swap chocolate chips for chopped peanuts or white chocolate chunks for a different twist.
• Make sure the butter is softened, not melted, for the best texture.

Storage

Store the peanut butter cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm individual bars in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to regain softness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use natural peanut butter instead of creamy?

Yes, you can, but natural peanut butter has more oil and less sugar, so it may affect the texture slightly, making the bars a bit denser or crumblier.

Are these bars gluten-free?

No, this recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. You can try substituting with a gluten-free flour blend, but results may vary.

Peanut Butter Cookie Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 149 reviews

These Peanut Butter Cookie Bars combine the rich, creamy flavor of peanut butter with gooey chocolate chips in a soft, chewy bar form. Perfectly baked to a golden brown with a tender crumb, they are an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert that satisfies any sweet tooth craving.

• Author: Natalie
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Total Time: 50-55 minutes
• Yield: 24 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1½ cups light brown sugar (tightly packed)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons milk

Dry Ingredients

• 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Add-ins

• 2 cups chocolate chips (semisweet or milk chocolate)

Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease and flour the pan to prevent sticking.
2. Cream butter, peanut butter, and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to cream together the softened unsalted butter, creamy peanut butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring even incorporation of ingredients.
3. Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the large egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture, mixing thoroughly to blend all wet ingredients smoothly.
4. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt until well combined to ensure even distribution of leavening and seasoning.
5. Mix dry into wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing steadily until fully combined and a consistent dough forms with no streaks of flour.
6. Add milk and stir: Pour in the milk and stir the batter again until the moisture is evenly absorbed and the dough achieves the desired softness and consistency.
7. Fold in chocolate chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula, distributing them evenly throughout the dough without overmixing to avoid melting.
8. Transfer and spread batter in pan: Transfer the cookie dough to the prepared pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly and smooth the surface for uniform baking.
9. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the edges turn just golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
10. Cool and serve: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing into bars and serving to ensure they set properly.

Notes

• For a nuttier flavor, you can use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy.
• If you prefer, substitute milk with almond milk or another dairy-free alternative.
• Use semisweet or milk chocolate chips depending on your sweetness preference.
• Make sure the butter is softened, not melted, for better texture in the bars.
• Store cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Keywords: Peanut Butter Cookie Bars, peanut butter dessert, chocolate chip bars, easy cookie bars, baked peanut butter cookies