I’m so excited to share this Creamy Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Recipe with you because it’s one of those desserts that just hits all the right notes—rich, smooth, and totally indulgent. These bars have been my go-to treat for everything from casual weekend snacks to special occasions where I want to wow guests without spending hours in the kitchen.

What makes this recipe truly stand out is the way the creamy peanut butter blends with the chocolate and graham cracker base, creating a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Whether you’re craving something sweet after dinner or packing a dessert for a picnic, these bars are your new best friend.

❤️

Why This Recipe Works

Simple Ingredients: Uses everyday pantry staples you probably already have on hand.
Perfect Texture: The graham cracker crust gives just the right crunch underneath that luscious peanut butter chocolate layer.
No-Bake Ease: You don’t even have to turn on the oven—easy, fast, and mess-free.
Customizable: You can tweak the chocolate and peanut butter ratio to suit your taste, making it never boring.

The image shows a white plate holding several square bars with two layers each; the bottom layer is thick, crumbly, and tan-colored, while the top layer is a smooth, rich chocolate brown, with a glossy finish. The bars are stacked, some resting flat on the plate and others leaning against each other, showing the clean edges between the two layers. The background is a white marbled texture, adding a soft elegant touch. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Creamy Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Recipe plays a key role. The combination is a perfect harmony of creamy, crunchy, and sweet. Plus, the tips I’ve included will help you shop smart and get the best results.

Butter: Melted butter binds the ingredients together and adds richness that makes these bars especially tender.
Graham crackers: Crushed to give a crispy base, graham crackers offer a sweet, slightly nutty flavor that complements peanut butter beautifully.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens the bars smoothly without any graininess, giving them a nice texture.
Creamy peanut butter: This is the star! It creates that luscious, dreamy texture you crave, so make sure to use creamy, not chunky.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melts easily and balances the sweetness of the peanut butter with a touch of bittersweet chocolate goodness.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love how versatile this Creamy Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Recipe is—you can make it your own with just a few tweaks. Personally, sometimes I sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top to deepen the flavors or add chopped peanuts for extra crunch. Don’t be shy to adjust the sweetness or chocolate type based on what you love.

Chocolate Variation: I’ve tried using milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet, and it results in a sweeter, creamier topping, perfect for those who like it mellow.
Dietary Modification: For a dairy-free version, swap butter with coconut oil and use dairy-free chocolate chips—you’ll still get a lovely texture and taste.
Add-ins: Toss in a handful of mini marshmallows, chopped nuts, or even a swirl of caramel for fun, seasonal twists.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Base Ingredients

First up, line a 9×9 baking dish with parchment paper so your bars won’t stick and cleanup is easy—as messy as I can be, this step saves me every time! In a large bowl, combine melted butter, powdered sugar, and the crushed graham crackers using a mixer. Then fold in the bulk of the peanut butter (1 ¼ cup) until everything is smoothly blended. The mixture will be thick but spreadable.

Step 2: Press the Base into the Dish

Using a spatula or your hands, press the peanut butter graham cracker mixture evenly into the bottom of the lined pan. Make sure it’s compact and flat—that’s the foundation for your bars, so treat it like you’re building a crunchy peanut buttery sandwich crust. Pop this in the fridge while you prepare the chocolate topping.

Step 3: Prepare the Chocolate Peanut Butter Topping

Place the chocolate chips and the remaining 3 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring well each time, until you get a smooth, glossy mixture. This part is so rewarding—the chocolate and peanut butter swirl together beautifully.

Step 4: Spread and Chill

Pour and spread the chocolate mixture evenly over the chilled peanut butter base. Smooth it out with a spatula to get the cleanest edges. Now comes the waiting part: chill the bars in the fridge for at least an hour so everything sets nicely—patience here pays off!

Step 5: Serve at Room Temperature

Before serving, let the bars sit out for 10 to 15 minutes so they soften just enough to be creamy but hold their shape when you cut them. This little step seriously elevates the texture, giving you that perfect bite.

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Pro Tips for Making Creamy Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Recipe

Even Crust Pressing: Press the base firmly and evenly into the pan to avoid crumbly bars later.
Low and Slow Chocolate Melting: Microwave in short bursts to prevent burning your chocolate pep-up.
Use Quality Peanut Butter: Creamy, fresh peanut butter with no added oils makes a big difference in texture and flavor.
Room Temperature Serving: Don’t skip letting your bars soften a bit; it maximizes that creamy mouthfeel.

How to Serve Creamy Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Recipe

The image shows a stack of three square bars on a white plate with a white marbled surface in the background. Each bar has two layers: a thick, light beige base layer with a crumbly texture, and a thinner, smooth chocolate brown layer on top. The top bar has a bite taken from the corner, revealing the soft, dense inside of the lighter layer. Around the plate are scattered glossy, small, dark chocolate pieces adding detail to the scene. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt or some crushed peanuts on top of the chocolate layer right after spreading it—this finishes the bars with a lovely pop of texture and flavor contrast. If you want to get fancy, a drizzle of caramel or a few mini chocolate chips scattered on top works beautifully too.

Side Dishes

These bars are rich, so I like pairing them with something refreshing like fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if I’m serving them at a party. A cold glass of milk or unsweetened iced tea balances the sweetness perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or special get-togethers, I cut these into bite-sized squares and serve them on a pretty platter garnished with a sprinkle of cocoa powder or edible gold dust. You can also stack small bars between parchment paper squares in a decorative tin for the perfect homemade gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once chilled, these bars keep beautifully covered in the fridge for up to a week. I store mine in an airtight container layered with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They remain firm and creamy, making them easy to grab for a quick snack.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these bars several times by wrapping individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw them in the fridge overnight—no loss of flavor or texture, which is a win!

Reheating

If you prefer warm bars, just pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or until they’re slightly softened. Be careful not to overheat, or the chocolate might start to separate. This quick warm-up makes the bars even more gooey and dreamy.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Absolutely! Just keep in mind that crunchy peanut butter will add extra texture to your bars, which some people love. The bars won’t be as smooth, but they’ll have a delightful crunch to every bite. If you prefer a smoother finish, stick with creamy.
Do I have to use graham crackers for the base?

You can substitute graham crackers with digestive biscuits or even crushed pretzels for a salty-sweet twist. Just make sure they’re finely crushed so the base holds together well. Each option gives a slightly different flavor, so feel free to experiment!
Is it possible to make these bars vegan?

Yes, the recipe can be adapted easily for a vegan diet by using vegan butter or coconut oil and dairy-free chocolate chips. Make sure your peanut butter is free of any animal-derived ingredients too. The texture will remain creamy and delicious.
How do I get clean cuts when slicing the bars?

Use a sharp knife warmed with hot water and then dried before slicing—wipe the knife clean between cuts for the neatest bars. Letting the bars come to room temperature for 10-15 minutes also helps ensure they don’t crack or crumble.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Recipe is close to my heart because it brings back memories of cozy family gatherings with simple, comforting flavors that everyone loves. I’m confident you’ll enjoy making and sharing these bars just as much as I do—they’re a little project with such a big payoff in taste. So go ahead, give it a try, and treat yourself to the deliciousness you deserve!

Creamy Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 12 reviews

Author: Julia
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 16 servings
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

These classic Peanut Butter Bars feature a buttery graham cracker base mixed with creamy peanut butter and powdered sugar, topped with a smooth layer of chocolate and more peanut butter. They are easy to make, no-bake bars perfect for a sweet treat or dessert.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Base

3/4 cup butter melted
2 cups graham crackers crushed
2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

Topping

2 1/2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the pan: Line a 9×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper and set aside to make removal easy.
Make the base mixture: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, combine the melted butter, powdered sugar, and crushed graham crackers. Mix until well combined.
Add peanut butter: Stir in 1 ¼ cup of creamy peanut butter until the mixture is thoroughly incorporated and smooth.
Press into pan: Evenly spread the peanut butter mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, pressing down gently to form an even layer.
Prepare chocolate topping: In a heat-safe bowl, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips and remaining 3 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each, until the mixture is melted and smooth.
Spread chocolate topping: Pour and spread the chocolate and peanut butter mixture evenly over the peanut butter base layer.
Chill bars: Refrigerate the bars for 1 hour to allow them to set properly.
Serve: Before serving, let the bars sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes to soften slightly for easier slicing and better flavor.

Notes

Use parchment paper to easily lift the bars out of the pan for clean slicing and serving.
For a crunchier texture, substitute some of the creamy peanut butter with crunchy peanut butter.
You can use dark or milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet for a different flavor profile.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the bars fresh.
If bars are too firm after chilling, let them sit at room temperature for a bit before serving to soften.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 250 kcal
Sugar: 18 g
Sodium: 110 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 20 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 5 g
Cholesterol: 25 mg