Name: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon fine sea salt; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; ½ cup creamy peanut butter; ¾ cup granulated sugar; ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 ½ cups peanut butter chips; 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

If you’re a fan of that ultra-classic combo of peanut butter and chocolate, you are absolutely in for a treat. These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars take everything you love about your favorite cookies and turn them into easy-to-make, thick, chewy bars. You get all the rich peanut butter flavor, melty pockets of chocolate, and a perfect cookie-pie texture with just minutes of prep. This is the kind of recipe that gets requested over and over again, and after one bite, it’s easy to see why!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe keeps it simple, calling for everyday staples that all play an important role. Each ingredient brings something to the table, creating that classic peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie bar taste and texture everyone craves.

All-purpose flour: The sturdy foundation for these bars, giving them structure and a satisfying chew.
Baking powder: Helps the bars rise just enough so they’re thick and soft, never dense.
Fine sea salt: Balances out the sweetness and highlights all those irresistible flavors.
Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and moisture, making the bars perfectly tender.
Creamy peanut butter: Gives that unmistakable nutty taste and creamy texture—use your favorite brand!
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps create crisp edges.
Light brown sugar (packed): Adds a touch of caramel-like depth and keeps the bars extra chewy.
Large eggs: Bind everything together for the perfect cookie crumb.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and gives a lovely aroma.
Peanut butter chips: Double up the peanut butter joy with creamy, melty bursts in every bite.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: The classic complement to peanut butter—melts just enough for gooey pockets.

How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Get things started by preheating your oven to 375°F. Take a 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper—this will not only keep the bars from sticking, but also make lifting and slicing a breeze later on.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and fine sea salt. This quick step ensures your leavening and salt are evenly dispersed throughout the dough for the perfect texture and flavor balance in every square.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Peanut Butter

Using a stand mixer or a large bowl with a hand mixer, beat together the softened butter and creamy peanut butter until smooth and thoroughly combined. This step creates the rich, silky base that gives Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars their signature chew and peanut-laced flavor.

Step 4: Add Sugars, Eggs, and Vanilla

Add both the granulated and brown sugar to the butter mixture, beating until well incorporated. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. This process helps the bars bake up soft, flavorful, and utterly irresistible.

Step 5: Mix in the Dry Ingredients

Gradually add your flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. This is the key to tender cookie bars—don’t overmix! Fold in the peanut butter chips and chocolate chips, stirring just until they’re evenly distributed.

Step 6: Assemble and Bake

Spread the dough evenly into your prepared pan. It will be thick, so don’t be afraid to use your hands or an offset spatula to get it right to the edges. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes—you’re looking for golden edges and a toothpick to come out mostly clean from the center. For gooier bars, go for the shorter bake time.

Step 7: Cool, Slice, and Enjoy!

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Use the parchment paper to lift them out onto a cutting board. Slice into generous squares and get ready for the best part—digging in!

How to Serve Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Garnishes

A simple sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after baking can really elevate the flavor, balancing out all that sweet and nutty richness. For special occasions, a drizzle of melted chocolate or an extra sprinkle of mini peanut butter chips always gets oohs and ahhs. If you want something extra decadent, try a scoop of vanilla ice cream on a warm bar—pure bliss!

Side Dishes

These bars are perfectly rich on their own, but for gatherings or dessert spreads, they pair beautifully with a tall glass of cold milk, fresh strawberries, or a mug of hot coffee. You could also serve alongside other bars and cookies for a delightful dessert platter that’ll please any crowd.

Creative Ways to Present

Try cutting the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars into small bite-sized pieces and threading onto skewers with mini marshmallows and fruit for a playful twist. For parties, place bars in cupcake liners and stack them on a tiered stand. Or, sandwich a layer of ice cream between two smaller squares and freeze for epic homemade ice cream sandwiches.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your bars have cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. They’ll stay chewy and fresh—no refrigeration needed. Just make sure they’re well covered to lock in that perfect soft texture.

Freezing

These bars freeze like a dream! Let them cool completely, then wrap individual squares in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag or airtight container. They’ll keep beautifully for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature whenever you get that cookie bar craving.

Reheating

If you like your bars a little warm and melty, pop a slice in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. This brings back that just-baked texture and makes the chocolate chips deliciously gooey again—especially good if you’re serving with ice cream.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter adds a bit of extra texture and little peanutty surprises in every bite. If your household loves a bit of crunch, go right ahead and swap it in for the creamy variety.

Do I have to use both peanut butter chips and chocolate chips?

Nope! While the combo really doubles down on the wow-factor, you can use all chocolate chips, all peanut butter chips, or even swap in white chocolate chips if that’s your style. The recipe is super flexible.

My bars seem a little dry—what happened?

Overbaking is the most common culprit! Try taking them out five minutes earlier next time for a gooier center. Also, be sure to measure your flour properly by spooning it into the cup and leveling off for the right amount.

How do I cut nice, clean squares?

Let the bars cool completely before slicing, and use a sharp knife wiped clean between each cut. If you’re feeling fancy, you can chill the bars briefly to firm them up even more for perfect, bakery-style squares.

Can I halve the recipe?

Definitely! Just halve each ingredient and bake in an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch pan. The bake time may be slightly reduced, so start checking around 20–22 minutes.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been searching for a fun, easy dessert that makes everyone swoon, these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are it! They’re chewy, gooey, and packed with nostalgic, crowd-pleasing flavor. Give them a try, share with your favorite people, and enjoy all the smiles and crumbs. Happy baking!