Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars Recipe: 5 Ingredients, Endless Flavor

Indulge in the irresistible combination of creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate with these simple No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars! Requiring just five basic ingredients and absolutely no baking, this recipe is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth cravings in an instant. If you’re a fan of classic peanut butter cups, get ready to fall in love with this family-favorite recipe that’s been passed down through generations.

Table of Contents

• Why You’ll Absolutely Love These No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
• The 5 Essential Ingredients You’ll Need
• How to Make No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars: A Simple Guide
• Kelly’s Expert Recipe Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Bars
• Delicious Topping Ideas to Elevate Your Peanut Butter Bars
• Proper Storage: Keeping Your Peanut Butter Bars Fresh
• Essential Equipment for Making Peanut Butter Bars
• A Glimpse at Momoo’s Original Recipe Card
• Frequently Asked Questions About No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
• More Irresistible Peanut Butter Dessert Recipes to Explore
• Momoo’s No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars Recipe Card

My great-grandmother, affectionately known as Momoo, was born in 1894. Her delectable peanut butter bars and homemade jams served as some of my earliest inspirations in the kitchen. Although Momoo lived a remarkable 103 years, her legacy continues to thrive through her celebrated peanut butter bars.

Why You’ll Absolutely Love These No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

• Made with just five simple ingredients, making them quick and easy to prepare.
• They taste like a classic peanut butter cup, featuring a thick, creamy peanut butter layer perfectly complemented by a smooth layer of melted chocolate.
• Perfect for sharing with friends, family, or enjoying all on your own (we won’t judge!).
• Requires absolutely no baking, making them ideal for hot days or when you’re short on time.
• Easily customizable with a variety of toppings to suit your personal preferences.
• A nostalgic treat that brings back fond memories and creates new ones.
• A guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
• These bars offer a delightful balance of sweet and salty flavors.
• They’re a satisfyingly rich and decadent dessert.
• The no-bake nature makes them a great project for kids to help with.

Grab These 5 Essential Ingredients

• Butter: Forms the foundation of these rich and creamy peanut butter bars. I typically opt for unsalted butter, but if you prefer a slightly saltier treat, feel free to use salted butter instead. Using high-quality butter will greatly impact the final flavor.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: While you can definitely use crunchy peanut butter for a textural contrast, I don’t recommend using natural peanut butter for this specific recipe. Natural peanut butter tends to make the bars too crumbly and doesn’t bind as well. Instead, stick with a brand like Skippy or Jif for the best results.
• Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this sweet ingredient not only adds sweetness but also acts as a binding agent, helping to hold the mixture together. Ensure your powdered sugar is fresh and lump-free for a smooth consistency.
• Graham Cracker Crumbs: You’ll need approximately 12 full sheets of graham crackers to yield 1.5 cups of crumbs. You can easily pulse them in a food processor until finely ground, or crush them in a plastic bag using a rolling pin. For a gluten-free version, simply substitute with crushed gluten-free graham crackers. For an added layer of flavor, try using cinnamon graham crackers for a delicious twist!
• Chocolate Chips: No peanut butter treat is complete without a generous coating of chocolate! You have the freedom to choose between semi-sweet, milk, or dark chocolate chips, depending on your preference. Consider using high-quality chocolate chips for a richer and more decadent flavor.

For the precise ingredient amounts and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.

How to Make No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars: A Simple Guide

1. Cream Together Butter and Peanut Butter: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and peanut butter until the mixture is smooth and well combined. If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can use a handheld electric mixer or even mix by hand with a sturdy spatula. Remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl periodically to ensure everything is evenly incorporated.
2. Incorporate Powdered Sugar and Graham Cracker Crumbs: Gradually add the powdered sugar and graham cracker crumbs to the peanut butter mixture, mixing until everything is thoroughly combined and smooth. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a tough texture.

3. Prepare the Pan: Line your baking pan with wax paper, ensuring there is some overhang on two sides. This will make it significantly easier to lift the bars out of the pan once they’ve chilled and set. If you don’t have wax paper on hand, parchment paper will work just as well.
4. Transfer and Spread Peanut Butter Mixture: Transfer the prepared peanut butter mixture into the lined pan and spread it evenly using an offset spatula. For easier spreading, consider lightly coating the spatula with cooking spray.
5. Melt Chocolate Chips: Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in short intervals, stirring frequently until smooth. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate using a double boiler for a more controlled melting process.

6. Briefly Refrigerate and Cut: Place the bars in the refrigerator for approximately 10 minutes, just long enough for the chocolate to harden slightly. Cutting the bars before the chocolate is completely firm allows for cleaner slices and prevents the chocolate from cracking or shattering.
7. Chill Thoroughly: Return the bars to the refrigerator and continue chilling until the peanut butter mixture has fully firmed up, which should take a minimum of 2 hours, but can be left overnight for optimal results.

Serve these creamy and delicious peanut butter bars with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee for the perfect indulgent treat.

Kelly’s Expert Recipe Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Bars

• For accurate powdered sugar measurement, stir it in the bag to loosen any clumps. Then, use a spoon to scoop it into the measuring cup, leveling it off with a knife.
• To quickly soften butter, fill a glass or ceramic bowl with hot water. After a few minutes, pour out the water and invert the bowl over the butter. The trapped warmth will soften the butter in just a few minutes.
• When melting chocolate chips in the microwave, use a microwave-safe bowl and heat the chocolate in short intervals (about 15-30 seconds), stirring frequently to prevent burning. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate using a double boiler for a more controlled and even melt.
• For clean and neat edges when cutting the bars, dip a sharp knife in hot water and wipe it dry between each cut. This technique also works wonders for achieving clean cuts when slicing brownies.
• Consider adding a thin layer of melted peanut butter chips on top of the chocolate for an extra layer of peanut butter flavor.
• For a richer flavor, toast the graham cracker crumbs lightly before adding them to the peanut butter mixture.
• If you find the peanut butter mixture too dry, add a tablespoon of milk or cream until it reaches the desired consistency.
• For a festive touch, add sprinkles on top of the melted chocolate before it sets.

Delicious Topping Ideas to Elevate Your Peanut Butter Bars

While these classic 5-ingredient no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars are incredibly delicious on their own, why not elevate them with some exciting and flavorful toppings? Here are some creative ideas to inspire you:

• Chopped Nuts: Enhance the nutty flavor by sprinkling chopped peanuts, almonds, or pecans over the chocolate layer.
• Shredded Coconut: For a taste of the tropics, sprinkle shredded coconut over the melted chocolate before it sets.
• Large-Flake Sea Salt: A pinch of flaky sea salt is my secret weapon for enhancing the flavors of all kinds of desserts, from chocolate chip cookie bars to red velvet brookies.
• Mini Chocolate Chips: Add even more chocolate goodness with a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips.
• Reese’s Pieces: Incorporate bite-sized peanut butter candies for an extra burst of peanut butter flavor and color.
• Pretzel Pieces: Add a salty and crunchy element by sprinkling crushed pretzel pieces on top.
• Caramel Drizzle: Drizzle melted caramel over the chocolate layer for a decadent and sweet addition.
• Espresso Powder: A sprinkle of espresso powder adds a subtle mocha flavor that complements both peanut butter and chocolate.
• White Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle melted white chocolate over the set chocolate layer for a beautiful contrast and added sweetness.

If you decide to add any of these toppings, remember to do so *before* the chocolate layer sets to ensure they adhere properly.

Proper Storage: Keeping Your Peanut Butter Bars Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store the finished peanut butter bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. If stacking the bars, place a sheet of parchment paper between each layer to prevent them from sticking together.
• Freeze: These bars freeze exceptionally well, making them perfect for make-ahead desserts. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.
• Thaw or Enjoy Frozen: Remove the frozen bars from the freezer and allow them to thaw in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight before serving. Alternatively, you can enjoy these no-bake bars straight from the freezer for a cool and refreshing treat, especially during the warmer months. They’ll have a slightly firmer texture when frozen, but will still be deliciously satisfying!
• Store bars in a single layer to prevent sticking.

Essential Equipment for Making Peanut Butter Bars

• Stand Mixer or Handheld Electric Mixer: For creaming together the butter and peanut butter.
• Quarter Baking Sheet or 13×9-inch Baking Pan: For forming the peanut butter bars.
• Wax Paper or Parchment Paper: To line the baking pan and prevent sticking.
• Microwave-Safe Bowl or Double-Boiler: For melting the chocolate chips.
• Offset Spatula or Regular Sturdy Spatula: For spreading the peanut butter mixture and melted chocolate evenly.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Food processor (optional, for making graham cracker crumbs).

A Glimpse at Momoo’s Original Recipe Card

Some of my most treasured recipes come from my great-grandmother Momoo, including Raspberry Applesauce Jell-O Salad and Crescent Roll Veggie Bars.

Frequently Asked Questions About No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

What can I use instead of graham crackers?

You can use crushed Ritz crackers, vanilla wafers, digestive biscuits, shortbread cookies, or even Rice Krispies instead of graham crackers. Simply blend them in a food processor until fine crumbs form, and use the same amount as you would for graham cracker crumbs in the recipe.

Can I use a different nut butter?

Absolutely! Almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter would all be great substitutes for peanut butter. Keep in mind that the flavor profile will be slightly different depending on the nut butter you choose.

Can I make these bars vegan?

Yes, you can! Substitute the butter with vegan butter, and use vegan chocolate chips. Ensure that the graham crackers you use are also vegan-friendly.

How can I prevent the chocolate from cracking when cutting the bars?

Make sure the chocolate is not completely frozen before cutting. Let it set in the refrigerator until firm but not rock hard. Also, use a warm, sharp knife and wipe it clean between each cut.

More Irresistible Peanut Butter Dessert Recipes to Explore

• Easy Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
• No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls
• Double Peanut Butter Blondies
• Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
• Chocolate-Peanut Butter Pretzel Tart
• Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt Pops
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

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