Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars (Printable version)

Rich, no-bake layered bars with creamy peanut butter base and smooth chocolate topping

# What you need:

→ Base Layer

01 - 1 cup creamy peanut butter
02 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
03 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
04 - 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

→ Chocolate Topping

05 - 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
06 - 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

# How to make it:

01 - Line a 9x9-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
02 - In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter and 1 cup of creamy peanut butter. Stir until smooth and fully blended.
03 - Add the sifted powdered sugar and graham cracker crumbs to the peanut butter mixture. Stir until well combined and a thick, uniform dough forms.
04 - Transfer the dough to the prepared baking dish. Press it evenly across the bottom and smooth the surface with a spatula.
05 - In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semisweet chocolate chips with the remaining 1/4 cup of peanut butter. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring after each burst, until completely melted and smooth.
06 - Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the peanut butter base, spreading it into an even layer with a spatula.
07 - Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours, or until the chocolate topping is firm to the touch.
08 - Lift the entire slab out of the dish using the parchment overhang. Place on a cutting board and slice into 16 even squares. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • No oven required, which means your kitchen stays cool and you stay sane.
  • The peanut butter base tastes like edible cookie dough, and nobody will judge you for eating it straight from the pan.
02 -
  • If you use natural peanut butter with separated oil, the base will never set properly and you will end up with a greasy mess that breaks your heart.
  • Chilling for less than 2 hours means the chocolate layer will smear when you cut, so set a timer and walk away.
03 -
  • Wet your hands slightly before pressing the base into the pan to prevent the dough from sticking to your palms.
  • A light sprinkle of sea salt on the chocolate topping right before chilling transforms the flavor from simple to extraordinary.

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