Delicious Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

If you love the combination of peanut butter and chocolate, you’re going to flip over these simple peanut butter cookie bars! 

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Go Together! 

If you’re a fan of the ever-popular Reese’s Peanut Butter cups you already know this! There’s something rather delicious about peanut butter and chocolate in the same dish. 

I already have a bunch of recipes on this blog for peanut butter chocolate treats, but I didn’t have this simple cookie bar. . .until now! (I’m not sure what took me so long, frankly.) 

Some of my other recipes are more brownie-like in size and structure. These are true bars, baked on a cookie sheet, (in my case, a Nordicware baking sheet, my personal favorite). 

What is a Cookie Bar? 

Basically, a cookie bar is the same basic recipe you would use in individual cookies, but spread out on a baking sheet. The point of the bars is two-fold: First, they’re simple. They don’t take as long to bake. You’re not putting tray after tray of cookies into the oven. 

Second, you can cut the bars as large or as small as you like, totally controlling how many people you can feed with them. 

Me? I’m a little lazy. Okay, a lot lazy. I like bars for the ease of use. Making individual cookies takes time, even if you use a scooper to place the blobs of dough on the parchment-lined cookie sheets. If you’re a peanut butter lover, these bars will really hit the spot!

What Kind of Peanut Butter Should I Use? 

I used creamy, but it’s totally up to you! If you love the texture of crunchy peanut butter, then use that! 

Peanut Butter Cookie Bar Ingredients

You’ll find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here’s a Quick Look at what you’re going to need to make these bars. These are such simple ingredients! You might already have them on hand in your pantry or refrigerator. 

• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups peanut butter (creamy)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 12 ounces milk chocolate chips (or almond bark)
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

How to Make Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

These are so simple, y’all! 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Prepare a baking sheet. Spray with nonstick spray, add a sheet of parchment paper, and spray again. 

Note: I used a larger Nordicware baking sheet, which made for thinner cookies. Feel free to use a smaller one or even a 9×13-inch baking dish for a taller bar. 

Place butter and shortening into a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment. Beat until light and creamy. 

Add sugars and vanilla extract. Continue to beat. 

Now add the eggs, mixing until fully incorporated. 

Work in the peanut butter, mixing well. 

Add flour and baking soda. Don’t over mix but make sure it’s fully incorporated. 

Spread the peanut butter cookie dough onto the baking sheet. Try to get it as level or even as you can. 

If you’re using the larger pan, bake for 20 minutes in preheated oven. You’ll probably need an additional 5 – 10 minutes in a 9×13-inch pan or smaller cookie sheet. 

Remove from oven and place on wire rack to cool. 

Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. I used a tablespoon of oil to help the chocolate melt. 

As soon as they are cooled, pour chocolate on top of the bars and spread with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. 

Allow the chocolate to set up before attempting to cut. 

Cut into squares and serve! 

Store in airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature. They should stay good for 4 – 5 days. You can freeze these bars up to two months in freezer bags. 

What to Expect from these Bars

If you love the combination of peanut butter and chocolate, these are the dessert bars for you! They’re simple to make, easy to serve, and (as I mentioned above) easy to portion. If you’re baking for a large group, this is the way to go. These chewy peanut butter cookie bars will be a bit hit.

I’m a big fan of the hardened chocolate on top. And I love the peanut butter flavor on bottom. If I do anything different next time, I’ll bake them for less time. (I’ve adjusted the recipe for you, but you can see that mine are a little “too” golden brown. Mine baked for 25 minutes, about five minutes too long.) 

I can’t wait to make these again for the grands. Just make sure, if you’re baking for a group, that you don’t have any allergy sufferers in the group! Peanut allergies are vicious! 

Variations on this Recipe

I’m already thinking of things I can do differently next time. Here are a few ideas that come to mind: 

Natural peanut butter: If you want to cut down on the sugar content, just natural (no sugar added) peanut butter.

Other nut butters: Use almond, cashew, sunflower, or any other nut butter you like.

Mini chocolate chips in the dough. I think these would be even more delicious with chocolate chips added to the dough. Yum! Peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bars. . .sounds delicious!

Peanut butter chips in the dough: I mean. . .c’mon. Peanut butter on peanut butter? Why not? Or, (another thought)…reese’s pieces! Delicious!

Chopped peanuts on top: While your chocolate is still melted, sprinkle on some chopped peanuts for added texture, flavor, and appeal! 

Chopped pretzels: I love the idea of adding chopped pretzels on top of peanut butter bars! I have a peanut butter cookie that includes pretzels and it’s delicious! 

Hershey’s Kisses: If you want to skip the chocolate coating, you can press Hershey’s kisses into the top of the warm cookie bars, straight from the oven. Just use one per serving and you’ll have peanut butter blossom bars!

Oats: I have a great recipe for healthy peanut butter oatmeal bars with chocolate chips. There’s something rather delicious about the mergence of oats with peanut butter. Delicious! 

Cake Mix: Use my Peanut Buter Cake Mix Cookie recipe if you’re in a hurry or don’t have the ingredients on hand to make the cookie layer from scratch. 

Peanut butter cookies: You can use this recipe to make delicious peanut butter cookies by individually scooping them and baking for 10 – 122 minutes, then adding a dollop of chocolate on top.

Peanut butter brownies: Add a layer or brownie batter below the peanut butter layer. Bake in a 9×13-inch pan.

Peanut butter icing: You can make a delicious peanut butter-infused buttercream to spread on top, if you like.

Other Peanut Butter Desserts from Out of the Box Baking

If you like this easy cookie bar recipe you’ll love these other peanut butter treats from Out of the Box Baking!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Chewies: If you love creamy peanut butter and chocolate together, I’ve got a real treat for you! These delicious Chewies have a chocolate base and a peanut butter layer on top. Best of all, they’re easy to make because they start with a couple of boxes of cake mix!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: If you love the flavors of peanut butter and chocolate together in one luscious dessert, do I have a treat for you! This simple banana bread incorporates both of those wonderful treats. It’s like a Reese’s in banana bread form! 

Peanut Butter Dog Treats: If you’re interested in making your own dog treats, this is the post for you! This is a simple recipe that anyone can use. It’s one that your dogs are sure to love, and it’s so easy to make!

14 Easy Peanut Butter Desserts: If you’re crazy about the flavor of peanut butter and love the idea of using it in your cakes, cookies, muffins, and candies, have I got a treat for you. In this post I’m going to share recipes for a dozen different peanut butter infused desserts, guaranteed to please!

Easy Peanut Butter Snowballs: If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas candy, one rich with flavor, you’re going to love these delicious snowballs!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pinwheels: Chocolate and peanut butter just go together. This yummy duo provides the perfect combination of sweet and salty. 

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That’s it for this post, friends! I hope you enjoyed this delicious peanut butter cookie bars recipe. 

If you make this recipe and love it, don’t forget to leave a review and a comment below. And while you’re at it, go ahead and pin some photos to your Pinterest boards!

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See this recipe at:

• Full Plate Thursday 
• Weekend Potluck
• The Lazy Gastronome
• Busy Monday 

About the Author

Janice Thompson is an author, baker, and all-around mischief maker! She has overcome a host of baking catastrophes, including a toppled wedding cake, to learn more about the baking process. Janice has published over 165 books for the Christian market but particularly enjoys writing recipes and baking devotions. To learn more about Janice or to drop her a note, visit her About the Author page.