Name: Peanut Butter Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup peanut butter; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup brown sugar; ½ cup granulated sugar; 2 eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon salt

Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 9 reviews

Get ready to fall in love with Peanut Butter Cookie Bars! These luscious, chewy bars capture everything you adore about a classic peanut butter cookie, but with less fuss and more gooey edges to fight over. With straightforward ingredients and a quick-mix, one-pan method, this recipe is always a winner for bake sales, family treats, or that 3 p.m. sweet craving you just can’t shake.

Peanut Butter Cookie Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe keeps it simple: every ingredient brings flavor, texture, and just the right touch of magic. If you want your Peanut Butter Cookie Bars irresistible, use these humble pantry staples and enjoy how they come together!

Peanut Butter: For rich flavor and signature chewiness, creamy or chunky both work, just don’t use a dry style.
Unsalted Butter: Softened so it creams perfectly with the sugars, giving the bars a tender crumb.
Brown Sugar: Adds a caramel note and extra moisture, making the bars beautifully soft.
Granulated Sugar: Balances the brown sugar and ensures every bite is perfectly sweet.
Eggs: Bind everything together and add a subtle richness to the bars.
Vanilla Extract: A splash brings all the peanut buttery flavors to life.
All-Purpose Flour: The backbone that holds everything together without making the bars dense.
Baking Powder: Gives the bars a gentle rise, keeping them light.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance all the sweet flavors and intensify the peanut butter goodness.

How to Make Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

Step 1: Cream the Fats and Sugars

Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment or lightly grease it. In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. This step is crucial for creating a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture, so don’t rush it!

Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Pour the vanilla extract in as well. These ingredients help the mixture emulsify and give the bars a gentle lift, so be sure everything is nicely blended.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. By mixing these separately, you’ll avoid any bitter pockets of baking powder and guarantee an even texture in your Peanut Butter Cookie Bars.

Step 4: Mix Wet and Dry Together

Gradually fold the dry ingredients into your creamy peanut butter mixture using a spatula or mixer on low. Stop as soon as no more streaks of flour remain. Overmixing can make the bars tough, so a gentle hand gives you that perfect cookie bar bite!

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Spread the dough evenly in your prepped baking pan. Smooth the top just a little, then pop it in the oven for 22–26 minutes. The top should look set and just turning golden at the edges. Let them cool in the pan so they’re easy to slice and hold their shape.

How to Serve Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

Garnishes

Take your Peanut Butter Cookie Bars up a notch with a few finishing touches. A gentle drizzle of melted chocolate or caramel sauce makes them look (and taste) gourmet. Sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt or crushed roasted peanuts right after baking adds crunch and contrast.

Side Dishes

Balance the richness of the bars with a tall glass of cold milk or a cup of hot coffee—absolute classics, right? If you’re feeling fancy, serve alongside a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream for a dreamy homemade dessert moment.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut your Peanut Butter Cookie Bars into fun shapes with cookie cutters for parties, or layer small squares into parfait glasses with whipped cream and berries. You could even crumble a square over yogurt or overnight oats for a surprise sweet crunch in your breakfast.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Peanut Butter Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. They stay chewy and moist, making them fantastic for lunchboxes or a quick snack on the go.

Freezing

If you want to plan ahead, freeze individual bars wrapped in plastic and tucked in a freezer bag. They’ll stay delicious for up to three months. Just thaw on the counter when you need a last-minute dessert fix!

Reheating

For that just-baked, warm cookie bar experience, zap a square in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. The peanut butter aroma and gooey texture magically reappear—especially good with an extra sprinkle of chocolate chips on top.

FAQs

Can I use natural peanut butter for this recipe?

Yes, you can, but the texture may be slightly more crumbly since natural peanut butter tends to separate and is less sweet. Stir it very well before measuring and consider reducing the salt a little.

What if I don’t have brown sugar?

You can substitute all granulated sugar, though the bars may be a little less moist and lack the depth of flavor brown sugar provides. Adding a spoonful of molasses to white sugar can mimic that caramel touch.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The top should look set and lightly golden, and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking, since they’ll continue to set as they cool.

Can I add chocolate chips or nuts?

Absolutely! Stir about 1 cup of chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, or even butterscotch chips into the batter before baking for extra flavor and crunch.

Are Peanut Butter Cookie Bars gluten-free?

Made as written, these are not gluten-free, but you can swap the all-purpose flour for a measure-for-measure gluten-free baking blend to create an allergy-friendly batch.

Final Thoughts

There’s something seriously special about sharing a pan of Peanut Butter Cookie Bars—warm, gooey, and completely irresistible. I hope you give these a try soon and enjoy every last chewy, sweet, peanut-buttery bite!