No Bake Peanut Butter Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 ½ cup powdered confectioners’ sugar
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
Chocolate Layer
- 2 cup chocolate chips or chunks
- 1 tbsp butter or coconut oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine butter, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Dough will be thick and slightly crumbly.
- Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper. Press the peanut butter mixture firmly into an even layer.
- Combine chocolate chips and 1 tbsp butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between, until melted and smooth (~1½ min).
- Pour melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer and spread evenly.
- Let sit at room temperature 30–60 minutes until chocolate sets.
- Lift bars using parchment paper, transfer to a cutting board, and slice with a sharp knife.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- Ingredient Temperature: Make sure your butter and peanut butter are softened for easy mixing.
- Mixing Tip: Beat the peanut butter layer until smooth, but it’s okay if it’s slightly crumbly — that’s normal.
- Pan Size: Use a 9×13-inch pan for perfect thickness; a smaller or larger pan will affect the bar thickness.
- Chocolate Layer: Stir chocolate well while melting to avoid clumps and get a glossy finish.
- Cutting Bars: Chill for at least 1 hour before slicing for clean edges. Use a sharp knife and wipe between cuts.
- Make-Ahead: These bars can be made a day in advance — store in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Customizations: Experiment with nuts, sea salt, or mix-ins for flavor and texture.