No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
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Using just 5 ingredients, these easy no bake peanut butter bars are a rich and decadent treat that taste exactly like homemade Reese’s peanut butter cups!
These no bake peanut butter bars are an old-school cafeteria recipe from back in the days when the lunch ladies would come in at the break of dawn and set to making the day’s meals from scratch. These ladies were our mothers away from home, always there to make sure we got enough to eat! Peanut butter treats were usually in abundance since peanut butter was a government commodity, provided in large quantities to lunchrooms.
This is a great homemade dessert recipe that uses only 5 ingredients, requires no baking, and ends up tasting like what a Reese’s peanut butter cup aspires to be. It features a rich and thick peanut butter layer that’s boosted with sugar, vanilla extract, and butter flavors. Then it’s topped with a decadent chocolate layer. This recipe results in treats that are fudgy, creamy, and will disappear in an instant!
Recipe Ingredients
- Creamy peanut butter
- Confectioner’s sugar
- Brown sugar
- Unsalted butter
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
You don’t have to have a whole tub of peanut butter like I have pictured here so don’t worry about that. My family just happens to think peanut butter is the best thing since… well, peanut butter, so I tend to buy it in large quantities.
How To Make No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
Place all ingredients into a large bowl.
Microwave until the butter and peanut butter are both melted. This will take about a minute or so.
NOTE: Check it after 45 seconds and make sure though because microwaves vary so greatly.
This is our melted “stuff”.
Now take a spoon and give it a really good stir.
NOTE: At first this peanut butter bar mixture will seem like a big old mess, but after several stirs, it will all come together and leave the sides of the bowl.
Now transfer your peanut butter mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 pan.
Pat it out into the pan with your hands.
Time to crank up that microwave again! Pour the entire package of chocolate chips into a bowl and microwave them at 30-second intervals, stirring in between each, until completely melted.
Pour the melted chocolate chips over your peanut butter mixture.
Spread it all around until the top is evenly covered.
Now the hard part: waiting for these no bake peanut butter bars to harden.
TIP: You can do this at room temperature or you can do like me and place it in the fridge for about half an hour or so.
Cut into bars and serve.
Enjoy!
Storage
- Leftovers can be stored in your cookie jar on the counter or in the refrigerator, whatever cranks your tractor. They will last up to 1 week.
- These no bake dessert bars also freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Recipe Notes
- You can add a cup of graham cracker crumbs to your peanut butter layer for added flavor.
- I don’t recommend using crunchy peanut butter, natural peanut butter, or any natural nut butter like in this recipe. They just don’t have the same consistency as processed smooth peanut butter like Jif and Skippy.
- If you like, you can use an 8×8 baking pan or a 9×9 pan. The cooling time will be the same.
- While I prefer , feel free to top your bars with melted .
- To make the chocolate peanut butter bars easy to remove from the pan, line it with parchment paper you can lift and remove with ease.
You may also like these bar recipes:
Lemon Bars Recipe and Video Tutorial
And here are some peanut butter recipes you might like:
3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Peanut Butter Brownies with Peanut Butter Fudge Icing
Refrigerator Peanut Butter & Milk Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar light or dark
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 2 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients (except the milk chocolate chips) in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until the butter and peanut butter are melted (1 to 2 minutes). Time will vary by microwave.1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 cups creamy peanut butter, 2 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
- Remove from the microwave and use a large spoon to stir all of the ingredients together (except chocolate chips) until they form a ball of dough that leaves the side of the bowl. Pat into a 9x13 pan.
- Pour the chocolate chips into another microwave-safe bowl and microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until completely melted. Spoon over the top of the peanut butter mixture and spread evenly.2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Allow the peanut butter bars to cool completely at room temperature until the chocolate hardens again or place in the refrigerator for faster hardening. Cut into squares and serve to some awfully happy people!
Nutrition
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Ok, so I have been trying to hold off from making these! I knew I would probably eat them until I was sick. I however, refrained by only eating 3! I hope my family doesnt find them! haha!!
I’m thinking I will use white chips then add red/white/blue sprinkles for a July 4th cook-out treat:)
Thx for the easy yet delish idea!
Christy, when I saw this recipe it really took me back to the treats that were so lovingly made by my mom and others when I was a boy. I made these peanut butter bars for a meeting at the office yesterday – and they were a huge hit! As we were all enjoying them, I could see all these middle-aged people being transported back to a simpler time. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe, and the other wonderful thoughts and insights you have on your site.
I just ordered your cookbook and can’t wait to read it and enjoy the recipes with friends and family!
Oh my goodness gracious, Christy! These look just like the ones that we had in school and I could eat the entire pan of them! 🙂
I have been looking for this version of the peanut butter bar forever! We called the them “E.T. Bars” in school. Just wanted to add 2 tips for the chocolate: 1. add a tablespoon of shortening for every 2 cups of chips. 2. I use a hot chef’s knife to cut my bars. I just fill my sink part way with the hottest water possible, dip the knife, wipe dry and make a cut. And just to echo grammaw and amy g. – always melt your chocolate at the lowest temp possible – it keeps the chocolate from “seizing” – turning crumbly and sandy
Yum! Hubby is a huge PB fan so I’ve got to make them for him!
God will not take you to, what he won’t see you thru.