Peanut Butter Bars {soft and chewy}

April 27, 2024

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Published: Jan 19, 2023 by Allison · 105 Comments

These incredible Peanut Butter Bars are packed with peanut butter flavor! A soft and chewy peanut butter blondie topped with peanut butter icing and chopped peanuts. This sweet and salty treat is sure to be a hit!

I typically create my peanut butter desserts with a combination of peanut butter and chocolate (see peanut butter brownies and chocolate peanut butter cookies), but for this recipe I wanted peanut butter to be the star! These have an undeniable peanut flavor in every single bite.

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These peanut butter bars are

Soft and chewy
Sweet and salty
Loaded with peanut butter flavor
Quick and easy (no mixer required!)
Perfect for feeding a crowd (or try the smaller recipe)

Recipe overview

*Full recipe below in recipe card*

Peanut butter blondie: The base of these bars is a combination of a blondie and a soft cookie. Peanut butter, melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla flavor the bars and makes them soft and chewy.

Peanut butter icing: This icing comes together quickly on the stovetop. A combination of butter, peanut butter, and milk is heated in a saucepan. Powdered sugar and vanilla are whisked in, then the icing is quickly added to the warm bars and spread into an even layer. This icing will firm up as it cools.

Toppings: In order to add crunch and saltiness sprinkle roasted salted peanuts right on top of the icing. A sprinkling of flaky sea salt also adds great flavor and texture.

Two size options

9×13: I originally wrote this recipe for a 9×13 pan, which feeds anywhere from 12 to 18.

8×8: I found myself occasionally wanting a smaller recipe so I included the measurements for an 8×8 pan in the recipe card. This size will feed 6-9.

Storage

Cool completely before cutting. Once cool, you can store them tightly-covered at room temperature for several days. I find that they are best within 2 days of baking.

These bars can also be frozen. I thaw them in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature. You can also reheat them individually in the microwave. Note: the warmer they get, the softer the icing will become.

Best peanut butter for baking

When baking with peanut butter, it is almost always best to use a traditional, no-stir, emulsified peanut butter. This is the typical commercial brand peanut butters that are thoroughly combined straight off the shelf, and do not have a thick layer of oil on top.

All-natural peanut butter (only ground peanuts) separates and might not mix into the blondie base or the frosting as well as a fully combined peanut butter. Although I prefer natural peanut butter for snacking and sandwiches, I highly recommend that you go with an emulsified peanut butter for baking.

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Recipe

Peanut Butter Bars

Soft and chewy Peanut Butter Bars topped with peanut butter icing and chopped peanuts. This sweet and salty treat is loaded with delicious peanut butter flavor.

4.90 from 76 votes

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Dessert

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 43 minutes

Servings: 18 see note for smaller serving

Calories: 354kcal

Author: Allison – Celebrating Sweets

Ingredients

Instructions

Bars:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 pan with foil or parchment paper, leaving overhang on at two sides for easy removal. Grease the foil or parchment, set aside.
In a large bowl, microwave butter and peanut butter until melted and smooth. Add brown sugar, whisking until combined. Add eggs and vanilla, whisk until combined, stopping to scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula until combined. Stir just until no streaks of flour remain, and be careful not to overmix. The batter will be thick.
Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and press it into an even layer. Bake for 17-20 minutes, until light golden brown.

Icing:

Once the bars are baked, remove the bars from the oven and place the pan on a wire rack. Immediately proceed with the frosting.
Place butter, peanut butter, and milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer, whisking frequently, then remove from the heat. Immediately whisk in vanilla extract and powdered sugar, whisking until smooth and combined. Pour over the warm bars and spread into an even layer. Work quickly; this frosting will firm up fast. Sprinkle with peanuts and flaky sea salt, lightly pressing the peanuts into the frosting. Allow the bars to cool and the frosting to set before cutting and serving.

Notes

*Peanut Butter: Be sure to use a traditional, no-stir, emulsified peanut butter. This is the typical commercial brand peanut butters that are thoroughly combined straight off the shelf, and do NOT have a thick layer of oil on top. Smaller recipe: This recipe can easily be halved and baked in an 8×8 pan. Bake time is about the same. Use the following measurements: Bars:

¼ cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
½ cup creamy peanut butter
¾ cup light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
¾ cup PLUS 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
¾ teaspoon baking powder
⅛ teaspoon salt

Icing:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
¼ cup creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons milk
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 scant cup powdered sugar
¼ cup roasted salted peanuts, chopped
flaky sea salt

Store tightly covered, at room temperature, for several days.

Nutrition

Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!

Note: This recipe was originally made with maple flavored peanut butter. Feel free to use that in place of regular peanut butter, if you prefer.

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