No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars have a crunchy peanut butter base with smooth chocolate topping. These no-bake peanut butter bars are an easy dessert or after school treat!
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Easy chocolate peanut butter bars are like homemade Reese's peanut butter cups, only better! These no bake bar cookies are perfect when you need an easy dessert, and you can add seasonal candies to the top to dress up this easy recipe for holidays.
There are a lot of classic peanut butter bars recipes out there, and I've been making the basic version for a long time. However, when the pickiest child started hating peanut butter, I tweaked the basic recipe and amped up the chocolate.
You can still taste the peanut butter flavor, but it isn't as strong as the original version. The best part about these chocolaty peanut butter treats is that no baking is involved, so you can enjoy these no bake desserts all year long!
Chocolate peanut butter lovers may also love my no bake chocolate peanut butter ritz cookies, peanut butter cheesecake dip, no bake chocolate peanut butter pie and more easy desserts!
No Bake Peanut Butter Bars Ingredients
You can find these simple ingredients in your local grocery store if you don't already have these pantry staples at home.
- Creamy peanut butter -- Make sure it isn't the all natural peanut butter with a lot of oil as this may change the texture of the bars.
- Butter -- softened room temperature butter
- Powdered sugar -- Confectioners' sugar adds sweetness and helps hold the bars together
- Graham crackers -- to hold the peanut butter layer together. You can buy crushed graham cracker crumbs to save a step!
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips -- for the creamy chocolate frosting. I also like to add some to the peanut butter layer.
- Cocoa powder -- Adds a hint of chocolate flavor. You can omit this if you prefer the classic peanut butter flavor.
How to Make No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
First, you make the base, which starts out as a mix of softened butter, peanut butter, and powdered sugar.
Add the ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer or stand mixer to make mixing easier.
Then, crush the graham crackers into fine crumbs in a food processor or a large ziploc freezer bag. You can use a rolling pin or meat mallet to crush them.
When the mixture is nice and creamy, add your crushed graham crackers, chocolate chips and a little bit of cocoa powder.
The cocoa powder is optional, but it add a little extra chocolate flavor.
Mix the peanut butter filling until well combined. Make sure to scrape the sides of the bowl.
Next, press the peanut butter mixture into a greased 9 X 13 pan in an even layer using a rubber spatula.
To make the chocolate frosting, melt the chocolate chips and butter in a medium bowl in the microwave. Melt chocolate in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval.
Pour melted chocolate on top of the peanut butter layer. Use a spatula to smooth the chocolate evenly over the bottom layer. Then, pop the pan into the fridge for about 30 minutes or until it's firm enough to cut.
How to Store Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars
Store the bars in an airtight container or cover the baking dish with plastic wrap. If your house is warm like mine, you may need to refrigerate this delicious treat so the chocolate doesn't melt.
This sweet treat keeps fresh for up to 1 week. You can freeze these no bake bars in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Just be sure to thaw completely before eating!
Recipe Variations
Dress up these delicious treats for different holidays with seasonal m&m candies or sprinkles on top of the bars. Reese's pieces would be a great addition, as well.
Leave the chocolate chips out of the bottom layer and omit cocoa powder for less chocolate. You can sub milk chocolate chips for a sweeter flavor.
Use a double boiler to melt the chocolate if you don't want to use the microwave.
Sub plain vanilla wafers or similar cookies for the graham crackers. You can also use almond butter or a different nut butter in place of peanut butter.
Recipe Tips
You can line the baking pan with parchment paper or foil if you want to remove the dessert before slicing.
For clean slices, use a warm wet paper towel to wipe the knife after each slice.
Refrigerate the bars for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before slicing. Otherwise, they may be too soft.
These bars are very rich. If you don't want large squares, slice them into smaller pieces.
Recipe
No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Ingredients
For the Base
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1 cup softened butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 cups crushed graham crackers
- 1 tablespoon dark cocoa powder
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips I use Ghirardelli
Ingredients for the Frosting:
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon dark cocoa powder
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
For the Base
- Grease a 13 X 9-inch glass baking dish.
- Combine 1 cup of peanut butter with the butter, and beat on medium until the mixture is creamy
- Add 1 cup of the powdered sugar, and stir gently until mixed. Then, beat until smooth.
- Add the remaining cup of powdered sugar, cocoa powder, the crushed graham crackers and the chips, and mix well.
- Take the mixture, and press it into the pan. Just make sure that it's even.
For the Frosting
- Melt 1 cup of peanut butter and the rest of the chocolate chips. I do this in the microwave, very gradually, but you can also melt the mixture in a pan over low heat. firm.
- Stir in the cocoa powder, and mix well,
- Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the bottom peanut butter layer, and spread with spatula until it's nice and smooth
- Refrigerate until the chocolate is set and bars are firm -- about 30 minutes. Cut into squares, and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.
Nutrition
I hope you enjoy these homemade peanut butter bars as much as we do. It's the perfect dessert for peanut butter fans!
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Recipe was first published in 2014 and updated in 2023
Kendall says
I saw these on your instagram and they looked so yummy!!! Also 9g protein is not bad for dessert!
Kelli says
Wow these were easy! Kids helped to make them! Not many leftovers! Will be making these again and again!
Laura says
Made these for dessert last night, and my family and I just finished them tonight! Safe to say this recipe is awesome and a new family favorite!!
James says
My daughter made these over the weekend, none left! she is making another batch for after school.
Dee says
That's wonderful! So glad you all liked them!