No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars Recipe
These No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars are a simple, delicious treat combining a crunchy graham cracker base with creamy peanut butter and a rich chocolate topping. Perfect for when you want a quick dessert without turning on the oven.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Base Layer
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) salted butter, melted
- 1 cup (120g) graham cracker crumbs (about 8 full sheet graham crackers)
- 2 cups (240g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 cup (250g) creamy peanut butter
Chocolate Topping
- 1 cup (180g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 Tablespoons (30g) creamy peanut butter
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Line an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper to prevent sticking and make removal easier. Set it aside.
- Mix Base Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the melted salted butter, graham cracker crumbs, and confectioners’ sugar. Stir everything together until evenly mixed. Then, stir in 1 cup (250g) of creamy peanut butter until fully incorporated.
- Press Base into Pan: Evenly press the mixture into the prepared baking pan forming a smooth, compact base layer.
- Melt Topping Ingredients: Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons (30g) of creamy peanut butter together with the semi-sweet chocolate chips either in the microwave in short bursts or on the stovetop using a double boiler, stirring until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
- Spread Topping: Pour and spread the melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture evenly over the peanut butter base layer in the pan.
- Chill and Set: Refrigerate the bars until completely firm, which takes at least 2 hours. For best cutting results, allow the bars to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Storage and Serving: Serve chilled or allow the bars to come to room temperature for a few hours if preferred. Store leftover bars covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Ensure the peanut butter is creamy for optimal spreadability and texture.
- Using parchment paper makes it easier to lift the bars out of the pan.
- You can swap semi-sweet chocolate chips for milk or dark chocolate to adjust sweetness.
- If bars are too firm after refrigeration, let them sit at room temperature for a bit to soften before cutting.
- These bars are perfect for make-ahead desserts and can be frozen for longer storage.
Keywords: No-Bake, Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars, Easy Dessert, No Oven Dessert, Peanut Butter Chocolate Recipe
