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Peanut Butter Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://tastemadebyclara.com/peanut-butter-bars-recipe/