Peanut Butter Bars (Printable version)
No-bake peanut butter bars with a graham cracker base and chocolate-peanut topping—chewy, rich, and easy to chill and slice.
# What you need:
→ Base
01 - 1 cup creamy peanut butter
02 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
03 - 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
04 - 2 cups powdered sugar
→ Chocolate Topping
05 - 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
06 - 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
# How to make it:
01 - Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on the sides to lift the bars out later.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter and melted unsalted butter. Stir until completely smooth and well blended.
03 - Add the graham cracker crumbs and powdered sugar to the peanut butter mixture. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the mixture is uniform in texture.
04 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Press it down evenly using a spatula or your hands to create a firm, level base layer.
05 - In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips and remaining creamy peanut butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each burst, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth.
06 - Pour the melted chocolate topping over the peanut butter base. Use a spatula to spread it into an even, smooth layer covering the entire surface.
07 - Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours, or until the chocolate topping is fully set and firm to the touch.
08 - Lift the entire slab out of the baking dish using the parchment paper overhang. Place on a cutting board and slice into 16 even bars. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
# Expert tips:
01 -
- The texture walks a perfect line between fudge and a candy bar without requiring a single turn of the oven.
- You probably already have every ingredient sitting in your pantry right now.
02 -
- Do not rush the chilling step because cutting warm bars turns them into a messy, melted pile that no amount of refrigeration can fully fix afterward.
- Adding a splash of coconut oil to the chocolate topping makes it glossier and easier to slice through cleanly.
03 -
- Run your knife under hot water and dry it between cuts for the cleanest looking squares.
- A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the warm chocolate transforms these from a backyard bake sale treat into something genuinely memorable.