Peanut Butter Bars (Printer-Friendly)

Chewy peanut butter bars with graham cracker base and chocolate topping; chill until set for easy no-bake treats.

# What You'll Need:

→ Base

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

→ Chocolate Topping

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

# How to Make It:

01 - Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on the sides to lift the bars out later.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter and melted unsalted butter. Stir until completely smooth and well blended.
03 - Fold in the graham cracker crumbs and powdered sugar. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is uniform and no dry pockets remain.
04 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Press firmly and evenly into the pan using a spatula or your hands to create a flat, compact layer.
05 - In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips and peanut butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each burst, until fully melted and glossy.
06 - Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the peanut butter base. Spread into an even layer using a spatula, ensuring full coverage to the edges.
07 - Refrigerate the pan for at least 2 hours, or until the chocolate topping is firm and fully set to the touch.
08 - Lift the slab out of the dish using the parchment paper overhang. Place on a cutting board and slice into 16 even bars. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • No oven required, which means you can make these in a dorm, a rented cabin, or a kitchen where the stove is currently holding mail.
  • The texture walks the line between fudge and candy bar, and people will assume you spent far more than fifteen minutes making them.
02 -
  • If you rush the chilling step, the chocolate layer will smear when you try to cut and the bars will look messy instead of polished.
  • Adding the extra peanut butter to the chocolate topping is not optional, because it softens the shell just enough to keep it from shattering into shards.
03 -
  • Warm the peanut butter slightly before measuring so it pours easily and mixes without fighting you.
  • Run your knife under hot water and dry it between each cut for bakery worthy edges that look almost too perfect to eat.

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