Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars

There’s only one way to describe these soft, chewy, and deliciously rich peanut butter chocolate chip bars: insanely good!

I mean, do you know anyone who doesn’t love chocolate and peanut butter? I don’t!

And these bars are the perfecr way to show off that combo.

Each one is warm and gooey with buttery, brown sugar-infused dough and loads of chocolate chips. They’re real crowd-pleasers, no matter the occasion. 

Why You’ll Love These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars

Easy to Make: I love this recipe because it features simple instructions and easy-to-find ingredients. You don’t have to be a kitchen pro to whip these up. 

Soft & Chewy: You guys know I’m a foodie, so I sometimes overuse certain phrases. But when I say these bars will melt in your mouth, that’s not me being descriptive. They’re so soft and chewy that they will quite literally melt on your tongue. 

Incredible Taste: Again, these offer a delightful combination of creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate. They’re a delicious, indulgent treat that everyone will love.

Completely Customizable: Adapt the recipe by adding your favorite mix-ins, such as chopped nuts or pretzels. You can also swap out semi-sweet chocolate chips for your favorite variety. 

Ingredients

• Creamy Peanut Butter: Though technically crunchy would work, creamy peanut butter is best for this recipe. It’s rich and nutty but also smooth and creamy. Crunchy peanut butter makes the dough too thick and is drier than creamy peanut butter. 

• Unsalted Butter: For the perfect balance of moisture and texture. 

• Sugars: Use light brown and granulated sugars. They’ll both sweeten the bars, but light brown sugar will also add caramel notes. 

• Large Egg + Egg Yolks: The essential binders that holds everything together. 

• Vanilla Extract: For warmth of flavor and aroma.

• All-Purpose Flour & Cornstarch: Create a sturdy foundation for the batter. The cornstarch also contributes to the texture.

• Baking Soda: For lift and rise.

• Salt: Add just a pinch to make all the sweet flavors pop. 

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: For gooey pockets of chocolate indulgence in every bite. 

How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars

For a baking recipe, the steps are surprisingly simple. You’ll basically prep, make the batter, bake, and cool!

Here’s a slightly more in-depth breakdown: 

1. PREP: Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper and set the oven to 350°F.

2. BEAT: Mix the softened butter and peanut butter until smooth. Add the sugars, then blend in the egg, yolks, and vanilla. Mix the dry separately, then stir gently into the mix. Add the chocolate chips.

3. PRESS: Spread the dough into the pan and sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top.

4. BAKE: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges are golden and the center is set.

5. COOL: Let the bars cool in the pan, then lift them out using the parchment overhang. Slice into squares and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars

Dessert bar recipes are some of my favorites because they typically aren’t difficult to make.

These tips will make this particular recipe even simpler: 

• Avoid natural peanut butter. It is prone to separating and can negatively impact the bars’ consistency. As mentioned, I’d also recommend staying away from crunchy peanut butter.

• Use high-quality chocolate. I use Ghirardelli chocolate chips, but Nestle Toll House and Guittard work well, too. 

• Use room-temp ingredients. Specifically, room-temperature butter and eggs. They mix more easily into the batter when they aren’t cold. 

• Don’t overmix or overbake. Mix the dough by hand and bake only until the edges are lightly golden and the center is still slightly soft. Overmixing and overbaking will lead to dense, dry bars.

• For visible layers. Press half the dough into the pan. Then, add a layer of peanut butter before adding the other half of the dough. The presentation is lovely. Remember to reserve some chocolate chips for the top, as well.

• Chill before serving. Once the bars are cool, pop them in the fridge for about an hour. They’ll have a much fudgier texture. If you don’t want to chill them, remember to wait until they’re fully cool before cutting them so they’ll hold their shape.

• Add mix-ins. I mentioned chopped nuts and pretzels earlier. You could also mix in peanut butter chips, white or dark chocolate chips, or even candy pieces! The sky’s the limit with add-ins.

How to Store

When I made these last weekend, I had no leftovers to worry about. Your family might have a bit more self-control than mine, though. 

To Store: Place fully cooled bars in an airtight container, or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Keep them at room temperature for 5 days or in the fridge for up to a week. 

To Freeze: Cut the cooled bars and wrap them in individual pieces of plastic wrap. Store them together in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. 

More Dreamy Peanut Butter Desserts to Try

Peanut Butter Apple Crisp
Peanut Butter Cheesecake
Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
Peanut Butter Cream Pie