Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Name: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky); ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup brown sugar, packed; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 large eggs; 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 cup chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet)

Isabella

🌟Life, Love, and Gastronomy 🍷

Jump to Recipe

If you love the combination of peanut butter and chocolate, then these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are an absolute must-try. With a rich peanut butter flavor and gooey chocolate chips, these bars are soft, chewy, and the perfect sweet treat to indulge in any time of day.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I absolutely love how easy and quick these cookie bars are to make, yet they taste like they’ve been crafted with care. The peanut butter provides a rich, creamy base that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the chocolate chips. Plus, the soft and chewy texture makes every bite irresistible. Whether you’re baking for a party, a family gathering, or just a simple treat for yourself, these bars are sure to hit the spot. With only a few ingredients and minimal effort, I know you’ll love how this recipe turns out!

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

1 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky)

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar, packed

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet)

Directions

Preheat the Oven Preheat my oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

Prepare the Dough In a large bowl, I mix the peanut butter, unsalted butter, and brown sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until it’s smooth and creamy. Then, I add in the vanilla extract and eggs one at a time, making sure to mix well after each addition. In a separate bowl, I whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt, before slowly adding the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. I mix until everything is fully combined.

Add the Chocolate Chips Next, I gently fold in the chocolate chips until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Bake I spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish and bake it for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Cool and Serve After baking, I let the cookie bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Once cooled, I cut them into squares and serve them. Enjoy!

Servings and Timing

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Servings: 12 bars

Variations

Nutty Add-ins: For an extra crunch, I sometimes add chopped peanuts or walnuts to the dough.

Peanut Butter Chips: If I’m looking to intensify the peanut butter flavor, I swap out half of the chocolate chips for peanut butter chips.

Vegan Option: I can make these bars vegan by using a dairy-free butter alternative and replacing the eggs with flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water per egg).

Gluten-Free: For a gluten-free version, I simply use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Once these cookie bars have cooled completely, I store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If I want them to last longer, I refrigerate them for up to a week.

Reheating: To enjoy the bars warm, I reheat individual servings in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds until they’re just slightly warm and the chocolate chips are melty.

Related Recipes:

Sugar Cookie Bars

FAQs

Can I use natural peanut butter for this recipe?

Yes, you can! However, natural peanut butter tends to be a little more runny, so you might need to adjust the flour slightly to get the right consistency. It will still taste great, just a little different in texture.

Can I substitute the chocolate chips with something else?

Absolutely! You can swap the chocolate chips for peanut butter chips, M&Ms, or any other type of chocolate or candy pieces you like.

How do I know when the cookie bars are done baking?

The cookie bars are done when the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached. If the toothpick comes out wet, I bake it for a few more minutes.

Can I freeze these cookie bars?

Yes, these cookie bars freeze well! I allow them to cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Can I double the recipe?

You can definitely double the recipe! Simply adjust the baking time and use a larger pan, like a 9×13-inch for each batch, or even a larger size like a 9×16-inch pan for the doubled batch.

Conclusion

These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are everything you could want in a dessert—soft, chewy, packed with flavor, and so easy to make. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just treating yourself, these bars will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth. I love how versatile the recipe is too, so feel free to experiment with different mix-ins or substitutions to make them your own. I’m sure this will become a favorite in your baking repertoire.

📖 Recipe: