If you’re looking for an easy weeknight dessert, these gooey chewy chocolatey peanut butter cookie bars are a total treat. They’re relatively easy to make, allowing you to have a yummy dessert ready to eat in less than 30 minutes, start to finish. Up the sweet factor by serving with a spoonful of vanilla ice cream or smooth chocolate pudding. And although these are super easy to store for another night, we don’t think you’ll have that problem: peanut butter bar cookies are so tasty, they’ll be gone before you have the chance.
Ingredients for Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
- Butter: Use salted if you prefer a little more salt with your sweet, otherwise unsalted is fine.
- Peanut butter: We call for smooth, creamy peanut butter for both the bars and the glaze.
- Sugar: Opt for traditional granulated sugar; however, if you’d like to try a sugar that’s slightly fuller and closer to the taste of rich brown sugar, we recommend using coconut sugar.
- Brown sugar: Pack brown sugar firmly prior to adding.
- Eggs: Use large eggs for best results.
- Water: This is important for creating a velvety smooth texture.
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla gives these bars that signature vanilla flavor, but also adds moisture and helps to balance the sweetness of the sugar.
- All-purpose flour: Feel free to sub 1:1 gluten free flour if needed.
- Oats: Use quick-cooking oats here.
- Baking soda: This is an important leavening agent, giving these peanut butter cookie bars a lighter, softer texture.
- Salt: Large, flaky salt will balance the sweetness, although regular table salt is fine too.
- Milk chocolate chips: These are used for making the decadent chocolatey glaze you’ll add at the end.
- Butterscotch chips: Butterscotch adds a deep caramel flavor to the glaze.
Directions
Step 1: Mix the bars
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, peanut butter and sugars until light and fluffy, or about 4 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add water and vanilla extract. In a separate small bowl, combine the flour, oats, baking soda and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the creamed mixture, and then continue to mix well until combined.
Step 2: Bake
Spread the bar mix into a well greased 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Bake at 325°F for 18 to 22 minutes, or until lightly browned. Be sure not to over-bake, as the peanut butter can dry out.
Step 3: Make the glaze
In a microwave or on a stove top over low heat, melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter, stirring until completely smooth. Pour this over the warm bars, spreading evenly. Cool completely on a wire rack before cutting. Serve as is, or with your favorite scoop of ice cream.
Recipe Variations
- Use crunchy peanut butter: Using crunchy peanut butter in either the bar mix or the glaze (or both!), adds a distinct nutty texture and taste.
- Sprinkle with salt: While delicious, these bars are a bit on the sweet side. If you’d like to balance that out, add large, flaky salt over the top of the glaze once slightly cooled.
How to Store Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
Store cooled peanut butter cookie bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also store on the counter after wrapping cooled bars in plastic wrap.
Can you freeze peanut butter cookie bars?
Yes. Freeze peanut butter cookie bars by tightly wrapping bars in parchment paper and then a freezer-safe plastic wrap or bag, making sure to keep air out. To thaw, allow bars to gradually warm to room temperature by bringing to the fridge first, and then the countertop to bring to room temperature before serving.
Peanut Butter Cookie Bar Tips
Can you make these gluten free?
Yes. You can use your favorite 1:1 gluten free flour in place of the all-purpose flour.
How do you keep the cookie bars from drying out?
Cookie bars are notorious for drying out, but this recipe does use key ingredients to keep that from happening. However, if you’d like a little more assurance, consider using honey in place of the granulated sugar. This will result in a goopier dough, which just translates to a moisture-rich bar once baked. Additionally, make sure that you’re storing your bars properly once cooled.
Can I serve these warm?
Because it’s best to cut these bars once cooled, if you’d like to serve them warm, simply microwave your bar for 30 seconds or so prior to serving.
