Peanut Butter Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Peanut Butter Bars are a rich, chewy treat perfect for peanut butter lovers. With a buttery base and a creamy, sweet peanut butter frosting topped with crunchy peanuts, they strike a perfect balance between texture and flavor. They’re simple to make and sure to impress.

Ingredients

• Bars:
• ½ cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter at room temperature
• 1 ½ cups light brown sugar, fresh and soft
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Icing:
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• ¼ cup milk
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 scant cups powdered sugar
• ½ cup roasted salted peanuts, chopped
• Flaky sea salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch pan with foil or parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal. Grease the foil or parchment and set the pan aside.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, microwave the butter and peanut butter until melted and smooth. Whisk in the brown sugar until well combined.
3. Step 3: Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the peanut butter mixture. Whisk until fully combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mix to the wet ingredients. Stir gently with a rubber spatula until just combined and no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix; the batter will be thick.
5. Step 5: Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and press it evenly into place. Bake for 17 to 20 minutes, or until the bars turn a light golden brown.
6. Step 6: While the bars bake, prepare the icing. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, peanut butter, and milk. Bring to a simmer, whisking frequently. Remove from heat immediately.
7. Step 7: Whisk in the vanilla extract and powdered sugar until smooth and fully combined. Pour this frosting over the warm bars and spread evenly. Work quickly as it firms up fast.
8. Step 8: Sprinkle the chopped peanuts and flaky sea salt over the frosting, pressing the peanuts lightly into the surface. Let the bars cool completely so the frosting sets before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh, soft brown sugar for the best texture in the bars.
• Room temperature peanut butter blends more smoothly and creates better consistency in both bars and icing.
• For a twist, swap half the peanut butter with almond butter or add mini chocolate chips to the batter.
• If you prefer a less sweet frosting, reduce the powdered sugar slightly.

Storage

Store these peanut butter bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 2 months. To serve after refrigeration or freezing, allow bars to come to room temperature for best texture. If desired, warm briefly in the microwave to soften the frosting.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Yes, but keep in mind that crunchy peanut butter will add a different texture to both the bars and the icing. It may create a slightly chunkier consistency, which some people enjoy.

Do I need to line the pan with foil or parchment?

While not absolutely necessary, lining the pan with foil or parchment with an overhang makes it much easier to lift the bars out after baking. This helps prevent breaking and makes cutting cleaner.

Peanut Butter Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 139 reviews

These rich and creamy Peanut Butter Bars are a delightful treat featuring a soft, peanut butter-infused base layered with a decadent peanut butter frosting, topped with crunchy roasted salted peanuts and flaky sea salt. Perfect for peanut butter lovers, this recipe combines buttery, sweet, and salty flavors with a smooth texture that’s easy to make and irresistible to eat.

• Author: Clara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 to 16 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Bars:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter at room temperature
• 1 ½ cups light brown sugar, fresh and soft
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Icing:

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• ¼ cup milk
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 scant cups powdered sugar
• ½ cup roasted salted peanuts, chopped
• Flaky sea salt for topping

Instructions

1. Prepare the pan and oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal later. Grease the foil or parchment paper lightly and set the pan aside.
2. Melt butter and peanut butter: In a large bowl, microwave the unsalted butter and creamy peanut butter until melted and smooth. This mixture will form a creamy base for your bars.
3. Add brown sugar: Stir in the light brown sugar thoroughly using a whisk until fully combined and smooth.
4. Incorporate eggs and vanilla: Add the eggs and vanilla extract and whisk until the mixture is well combined, ensuring to scrape the sides of the bowl occasionally for an even blend.
5. Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution.
6. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and gently fold using a rubber spatula until no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix; the batter will be thick but evenly combined.
7. Spread batter and bake: Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and press it evenly into the pan’s surface. Bake in the preheated oven for 17 to 20 minutes or until the surface is a light golden brown.
8. Make the icing: Once baking is done, immediately prepare the frosting by placing butter, peanut butter, and milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer gently while whisking frequently until smooth and heated through. Remove from the heat and whisk in vanilla extract and powdered sugar until the frosting is silky and combined.
9. Frost the bars: Pour the warm frosting over the bars while still in the pan and spread it evenly. Work quickly as the frosting firms up fast.
10. Add toppings and cool: Sprinkle chopped roasted salted peanuts and flaky sea salt over the frosting, lightly pressing the peanuts into place. Allow the bars to cool completely and the frosting to set before using the foil or parchment overhang to lift the bars out. Cut into squares and serve.

Notes

• Ensure the light brown sugar is fresh and soft for the best texture in your bars.
• Peanut butter should be at room temperature to melt and mix smoothly.
• Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars tender.
• The frosting needs to be poured over warm bars to spread easily but cool to set properly; work quickly.
• Using foil or parchment paper with an overhang makes lifting out the bars easy and clean.

Keywords: Peanut Butter Bars, peanut butter dessert, baked peanut bars, creamy peanut dessert, easy peanut butter recipe