Easy No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

My grandma’s Easy No Bake Peanut Butter Bars recipe is amazing with a peanut butter base topped with melted chocolate chips and more!

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Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

Are you ready for the best and easiest chocolate peanut butter dessert on the entire planet? 

My grandmother used to whip this yummy treat up in no time at all. Ok in about 15 minutes, maybe less.

This dessert only requires 5 ingredients. Not including any decorations you choose to use.

That is it.

You have to remember that my grandma was like super woman to me. As far as I’m honestly concerned she stirred a bowl for a second or two, poured the mixture into a dish and then the long wait began.

It seemed like it took an eternity for these peanut butter chocolate bars to set.

I remember her telling us repeatedly that if we kept opening the fridge the dessert would take longer to be ready. 

She had the patience of a saint.

We still kept checking.

The worst part really is waiting until they’re cold enough to cut and eat. For the record, at least an hour is needed for the dessert to chill and it’s a long hour to wait.

Honestly, the longer they chill the better. Overnight is best, whenever possible.

I  hate to admit this but I have even put these easy no bake peanut butter bars in the freezer to speed up the chilling process. I wish my grandmother had thought of that. 😉

I have always hated waiting and probably always will.  Especially for delicious desserts like these no bake peanut butter chocolate bars.

No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

You always have the option of making these peanut butter chocolate chip bars a couple days ahead as long as you and your family won’t eat them before they’re needed!

Good luck with that. I have trouble successfully hiding sweets anywhere in my home. Especially these no bake peanut butter bars.

They’re absolutely addictive and so delicious. 

My grandmother believed that the popular chocolate peanut butter cups were not as tasty as her dessert and why waste the money. She was definitely thrifty and “with good reason” she would always say.

These easy no bake peanut butter bars are just that good. If your a chocolate peanut butter fan like I am than this easy recipe is definitely for you.

I usually have some of these easy no bake peanut butter bars stored inside my freezer, just in case they’re needed.

I usually store the bars in an airtight container surrounded by parchment paper. Also, I always store the bars all cut up so I can easily grab the exact amount I need.

You can freeze the entire peanut butter chocolate chip bars or dessert recipe whole as well, in the dish you prepared it in, sealed up with plastic wrap or a lid.

I just don’t recommend it unless you want to bring the entire dessert with you somewhere at a later date.

This peanut butter bars recipe can be stored for up to two months inside your freezer. I just thaw overnight in the fridge or quickly on the counter.

My goodness, I am almost ashamed to say it but I have eaten one of these peanut butter chocolate chip bars frozen. Right out of the freezer.

I still enjoyed every cool bite!

Peanut Butter Bars Recipe

Make a single batch and they’re never enough. I’ve had an entire recipe disappear throughout the course of one day. 

You see, here is the problem.

You will always lose a few peanut butter chocolate chip bars as soon as you start cutting them up. I am the worst offender because I will eat one myself as soon as they’re ready.

I just can’t help it and I wish that wasn’t true.

Now, I make a double batch of these peanut butter chocolate chip bars and put one recipe right inside the freezer for another time. I’m always glad I did.

These bars freeze beautifully and I have a couple of spots I can put them.

I always have some sweet stuff hidden around just in case the need arises. Don’t you? I have a couple large plastic containers with a lids that have a bunch of different bits of this and that inside it.

Everything from fudge to cookies to bars.

My best hiding spot is at the back of the stand up freezer behind all sorts of heavy meats. I know my husband and son would never try and nove all of the meat in front of the tub they can’t see.

They figure I wouldn’t try and move all of it either to hide things behind it. They just don’t notice that the piles in front of the tub keep moving around.

There is a bin they can see that is near the front of the freezer that I keep adding to and taking from. I know they both monitor it closely.

I use the tub near the front of the freezer, that is kind of buried a little too, as a decoy for my husband and son. So far so good too.

I was surprised at first but this has been going on for years and still, they haven’t found the hidden and buried mother load. 😂

Fingers crossed, my luck continues.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars

Best Chocolate

There’s a bit of a debate in this household about whether to use milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate or dark chocolate.

Milk chocolate will make your bars taste more similarly to the store bought chocolate treats.

I usually use semi sweet or dark chocolate because that is what I usually have in the house.

All kinds of chocolate will work and work well in this wonderful no bake chocolate peanut butter bars recipe. Use your favorite or whatever you have on hand.

How could you be disappointed? We’re talking about peanut butter and chocolate after all?

Best Peanut Butter

There is a never ending debate over which kind of peanut butter will work best with this peanut butter chocolate chip bars recipe.

My grandmother always made this dessert with smooth peanut butter. 

It’s true, smooth peanut butter reminds me of the original peanut butter cups but you can easily swap out crunchy peanut butter. It will taste great too.

I would decide based on your personal preference or whatever you have on hand.

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

There is also one last debate over which size pan is best to use in my house to make this wonderful peanut butter chocolate chip bars recipe.

I think the real issue is how thick you want these bars to be.

Some prefer a thicker bar so I use a smaller pan for them.

Others love them thinner so I use my 13 x 9 inch pan.

I have also made a double batch inside my 13 x 9 inch pan and they were a huge hit!

As usual, the decision is up to you!

I will eat these terrific peanut butter chocolate chip bars thick or thin. Any way I can get them.

As I mentioned, I LOVE peanut butter chocolate everything.

Decorating Ideas

Don’t forget you can decorate these tasty treats any way you want.

I remember arguing with my sister over how best to decorate them.  Her ideas were always terrible! 😉

The truth is you can decorate these bars in any way you like, with anything you can think of. These are our favorites.

You have to imagine some of these treats all chopped up on top of these incredible bars.

Out of this world good!  

• nuts
• cookies
• cream filled cookies 
• dried fruits
• marshmallows
• cereal
• broken pretzel
• M&M’s
• toffee bits
• butterscotch chips 
• chocolate chips
• caramel chips
• smarties
• chocolate covered caramels
• mints
• sprinkles or sparkles

Ingredients in No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

• butter
• graham cracker crumbs
• powdered or icing sugar
• peanut butter, smooth or crunchy, almond butter works great too
• chocolate chips
• pecans or peanuts, to decorate
• Heath, Skor or toffee bits, to decorate
• peanut butter chips, to decorate

How to make No Bake Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Bars

In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, graham cracker crumbs, sugar and 1 cup of the peanut butter.  

Press on to the bottom of a 9×13 inch pan, as evenly as you can.  I use the bottom of a large glass to help me flatten the layer out. 

In a microwave safe bowl, combine 1/4 cup of peanut butter and the chocolate chips.  

Melt on high in 20 or 25 second increments.  At each break stir.  Keep slowly heating until smooth.  

Spread chocolate all over top.  

Sprinkle pecans, peanut butter chocolate chips and Heath or Skor bits all over top of the chocolate layer.  

Refrigerate for at least an hour, if not longer.  

When you’re ready to slice them, run a sharp knife under some really hot water so your slices will look smooth and beautiful. Put your knife back under the hot water and wipe your knife in between slices as well.

You will be glad you did.

Enjoy!

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No Bake Peanut Butter Bars Video

This is a recipe you must try! Have a look at our video!