No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
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Check out these easy, rich no-bake peanut butter bars. They have a thick peanut butter layer topped with a layer of milk chocolate. Slice and serve for snacking after school, taking to family gatherings, or the perfect potluck treat.
I am a sucker for peanut butter and chocolate desserts, and this one is a favorite in our home. Want more out-of-this-world desserts? Try my peanut butter chocolate lava cake, or this incredible chocolate peanut butter earthquake cake!
Have you ever made a recipe because someone you love and miss used to make it? That’s what happened today. My aunt had been posting pictures of my grandmother who has been gone since my baby boy was 5 months old (He’s 13 now). Before I knew it, I was overcome with sadness. So, as usual, I ran to the kitchen and started making a recipe that reminded me of my childhood with her. I made it to the best of my memory.
My grandmother was the ultimate grandmother. I would always spend the weekends with her and this was her go-to no-bake dessert that we would make together. Her cupboards always consisted of graham crackers, peanut butter, and chocolate chips.
My favorite part of these bars is the creamy peanut butter base layer. I could sit down and eat an entire pan of the peanut butter graham cracker mixture. My second favorite part is that they are no-bake. I think that was my gram’s favorite part too.
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Reasons to Make This No-Bake Peanut Butter Bar Recipe
No Bake: You don’t need to turn on the oven for this easy no-bake bar recipe. This is a fantastic, throw-together dessert that takes minimal effort.
Homemade Dessert: This fits the bill if you want a homemade dessert. Your family or loved ones will love the made-from-scratch treat you give them.
Freezer Friendly: Make and freeze for those sweet tooth cravings or unexpected guests that show up, and you want a treat to give them.
Ingredients Needed
See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all ingredients and quantities.
Butter: I used melted salted butter. If you do not use salted butter, I recommend adding a sprinkle of salt to the mixture.
Peanut Butter: Use any brand of peanut butter you like. I used creamy, but crunchy works great as well.
Vanilla: A splash of vanilla will help elevate the flavors of the ingredients in this dessert.
Graham Cracker Crumbs: Buy pre-crushed crackers or take grahams and crush yourself. You can use a food processor or add crackers to a bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar will help thicken the peanut butter bar mixture.
Chocolate Chips: I used milk chocolate chips, which create the perfect rich chocolate topping.
Vegetable Oil: This helps the chocolate set up and not stay soft. You can use coconut oil, canola oil, etc.
Substitutions and Variations
- Nut Butter: You can use crunchy or creamy peanut butter, or if you prefer, opt for a nut butter of your choice. Just know that with nut butter, you must adjust the powdered sugar as the texture will vary. Nut butters tend to have more liquid, so more powdered sugar will be needed.
- Chocolate: Feel free to use white, dark, semisweet chocolate or a blend, where you do half white chocolate and half milk chocolate. Play around with what chocolate you prefer.
- Toppings: Sprinkle with more crushed graham crackers, crushed cookies, nuts, mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, or shavings, etc. Feel free to decorate the top of the chocolate with any of your favorite toppings.
- Mix-Ins: You can add chopped cookies, candy bars, sprinkles, nuts, etc., which will flavor the peanut butter layer of these bars.
NOTE: This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations
How to Make Peanut Butter Bars
Start by lining your 8×8 pan with foil. Then, you will crush your graham crackers into a sand-like texture.
Step 1: Add the butter and peanut butter to a bowl and microwave until both are melted. Do short heat cycles, stirring between each time you heat.
Step 2: Stir until the butter and peanut butter are combined.
Step 3: Once thoroughly melted, add in the vanilla.
Step 4: Work in the graham cracker crumbs and the powdered sugar.
Step 5: Mix everything until thoroughly incorporated.
Step 6: Place the peanut butter layer in the pan and then press it down to spread evenly over the pan.
Step 7: Add the chocolate chips and oil to a new small microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 30 seconds, stirring between each cycle, until the chocolate is fully melted. Spoon onto the peanut butter layer.
Step 8: Spread the chocolate to the edges of the pan evenly with an angled spatula.
Lastly, refrigerate for around 2 hours or until the chocolate layer is set up. Then slice and serve.
Tips For Success
- Make sure you finely crush the graham cracker crumbs. It needs to be a sand-like texture.
- When heating the peanut butter and chocolate in the microwave, do short heat cycles and stir between each cycle. Otherwise, the mixtures can burn.
- Press the peanut butter mixture firmly into the pan to spread it evenly.
- When you refrigerate, cover the bars with plastic wrap, foil, or a lid to allow them to set up. You can freeze the bars to speed up the chocolate setting up.
Storing and Freezing
Store your peanut butter chocolate bars in a sealed container or airtight ziploc-style bag. They can be stored at room temperature or for a firmer bar, refrigerated. They will last for 7-14 days.
Or extend their life and freeze them for 2-3 months. Then, eat straight from the freezer or let them thaw on the counter or the fridge.
Recipe FAQs
To make these bars gluten-free, you must use gluten-free graham crackers. If you prefer, you could substitute rice cereal or other gluten-free items for the graham crackers.
To double these peanut butter bars, grab a 9×13 baking dish and double all the ingredients. This is a recipe that can be adapted.
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No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
Ingredients
- ¾ cup salted butter melted
- 1 ¼ cups creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs about 11 graham cracker sheets
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 ½ cups milk chocolate chips
- ½ teaspoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- Line an 8×8-inch square pan with aluminum foil.
- If using sheets of graham crackers, place them in a storage bag. Crush them into fine crumbs using a rolling pin. Set aside.
- Place the butter and peanut butter into a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute and stir until the peanut butter is incorporated.
- Add the vanilla extract and stir in until combined.
- Place the graham cracker crumbs and powdered sugar into the butter/peanut butter mixture. Stir with a spatula until everything is incorporated.
- Place the crumb mixture into the prepared pan and press it firmly and evenly into the bottom.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and vegetable oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals and stir after each interval until the chocolate is completely smooth. My chocolate took 3 intervals of 30 seconds to melt and smooth out.
- Pour the chocolate onto the crumb mixture and smooth out. Make sure it is spread to all the edges.
- Refrigerate for 1 – 2 hours or until the chocolate top is firm. Cut into squares and serve.
- Store in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap at room temperature or for a firmer bar in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
(Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.)
