Satisfy your sweet tooth with these delicious and easy-to-make Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. Soft, chewy, and perfect for any occasion or sweet tooth craving!
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If you’re like me and love the chocolate peanut butter combination, these peanut butter cookie bars are for you! Whether you enjoy them as a dessert, snack option, or warmed up with a scoop of ice-cream for a cookie sundae, these will be a favorite with everyone! Using simple ingredients and only one bowl, they are oven ready in under 10 minutes! For more peanut butter options, also check out my Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, Peanut Butter Lasagna, and Peanut Butter Blossoms!
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Tips for Success
Now that I have made these chocolate chip bars numerous times, I have learned tips and tricks for the ultimate cookie bar each and every time!
- Avoid using natural peanut butter! With its simple ingredient list and tendency to separate, natural peanut butter can sometimes lead to inconsistent results in baking. I love using Jif or Skippy.
- Use any chocolate chip flavor desired. From milk chocolate to semi sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or even dark chocolate, any flavor works perfectly. We have even used chopped up Reese’s peanut butter cups!
- While I love a good chocolate chip cookie, sometimes the scooping can become time consuming. Make these chocolate chip peanut butter cookie bars when in a time crunch as you simply make the cookie dough, spread into your prepared pan, and bake! No chilling required!
- Don’t over-mix your dough. Once ingredients are just combined, no need to keep mixing. Over-mixing is the number one cause of tough, flat cookie bars.
- Another great option for peanut butter is crunchy peanut butter. It adds a slight crunch throughout and can be a great choice!
- Put about ½ cup chocolate chips aside and use those once the cookie dough has been spread into the pan. This helps ensure each and every sliced bar gets chocolate chips. Even a sprinkle of sea salt once baked is a great way to add a salty sweet taste.
Ingredient Notes
Below is a brief overview of each ingredient needed. Most are pantry staples! To see printable recipe card, scroll below to bottom of post or click the “jump to recipe” button at the top.
- Peanut Butter– creamy peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter work great, just avoid using natural as the oil tends to separate and make the consistency of the cookie bars a bit too moist. Jif, Skippy, and Peter Pan are great brand options.
- Butter– unsalted butter is my go-to since salt is added to the recipe as well. Be sure to let it soften to room temperature. Salted butter works too if needed, just omit the addition of salt.
- Granulated Sugar– white granulated sugar adds the perfect amount of sweetness throughout.
- Brown Sugar– you will want to use light brown sugar in this recipe.
- Eggs– you’ll need two large eggs at room temperature.
- Vanilla Extract– try to use pure vanilla extract versus imitation for the best flavor.
- Flour– all purpose flour is best, you can also make these peanut butter bars gluten free by using a gluten free flour.
- Baking Powder/ Salt– baking powder acts as a leavening agent, causing the bars to rise and become lighter in texture, while salt enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness. Ensure freshness by changing out your baking powder every 6 months.
- Peanut Butter Chips– I use Reese’s, however, you can use any combination of flavored chips.
- Chocolate Chips– semi-sweet is my favorite, however, use any you have on hand.
Variations of Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars
Although these bars are a favorite as is, sometimes we love to change them up depending on occasion, what we have on hand, or allergies of those enjoying them. For add in’s, you can try chopped pretzels for a salty addition, M & M’s, mini chocolate chips, chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups, small candies, or chopped nuts. If you want to make a smaller batch, cut ingredients in half and prepare in an 8×8 baking pan. If serving these cookies to someone with a peanut allergy, sunflower butter is a great substitution.
Storing and Freezing your Cookie Bars
- Make Ahead– prepare the cookie dough batter as directed, but rather than baking, wrap the cookie dough in plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for 2 – 3 days. Bring to room temperature before baking. You can also transfer the plastic wrapped cookie dough to an airtight and freezer safe container or bag to freeze up to 2 months. Bring to room temperature before baking.
- Store– once fully cooled, place the chocolate chip peanut butter cookie bars in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing– place the cookie squares in a zip lock bag or freezer safe container once fully cooled. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Reheating– if you prefer your peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bars warm and ooey gooey, simply take your bar and place on a plate. Heat in microwave for 15-25 seconds, or until warmed through.
More Cookie Recipes to try
S’mores Cookies– combine classic cookies with crushed graham crackers and marshmallows. Ooey gooey, chewy, and delicious cookies that takes the classic campfire treat to new levels! The perfect summer recipe everyone will enjoy!
Monster Cookie Bars– soft, chewy, and easy to make oatmeal cookie bars loaded with rolled oats, creamy peanut butter, chocolate chips, and M&M’s. A one-bowl recipe that is perfect for parties, gatherings, and more!
Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars– perfect for any occasion and sure to be a crowd pleaser, now you can enjoy all the flavors of classic sugar cookies, without having to chill/roll out the dough.
Cake Mix Cookie Bars– made with just 5 ingredients and are irresistibly delicious. Using a boxed cake mix, there is no need to scoop, chill, or measure the dough!
Joanna Gaine’s Chocolate Chip Cookies– come from the best selling cookbook called Magnolia Table! Chewy, delicious, and simply amazing! These cookies are thick, packed with the perfect amount of chocolate chips, and a new go-to!
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Easy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup white sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar light
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups flour all purpose
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup peanut butter chips
- 1-2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips depends on how sweet you want the cookie bars, we use 2 cups.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease a 9x13 baking pan or line with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and peanut butter until smooth and creamy.
- Add in the white sugar and brown sugar, stir until just combined.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until just combined.
- Slowly mix in the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and salt).
- Gently fold in the peanut butter chips and chocolate chips.
- Press dough evenly into prepared pan and bake in preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until edges are slightly golden brown. You can also use a toothpick to check the center if done.
- Remove baking dish from oven and allow cookie bars to cool before slicing and serving! Enjoy!
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