Description
These Easy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars combine creamy peanut butter, rich chocolate chips, and a tender, chewy texture for a delightful treat. With a simple ingredient list and straightforward steps, they bake up in just 30 minutes, making them perfect for a quick dessert or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (240g) creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup (200g) packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1 1/2 cups (250g) semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided (1 1/4 cups for batter, 1/4 cup for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine melted butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth and well blended. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition for a smooth mixture.
- Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in 1 1/4 cups of the semi-sweet chocolate chips, reserving 1/4 cup to sprinkle on top later.
- Bake the Bars: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips evenly over the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing into squares to serve.
Notes
- Ensure not to overmix the batter to keep the bars tender and chewy.
- You can substitute creamy peanut butter with natural peanut butter but expect a slightly different texture.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of cinnamon or a handful of chopped nuts to the batter.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Use parchment paper for easier removal and cleaner slicing.
