Imagine sinking your teeth into a chewy, perfectly golden cookie bar loaded with melting chocolate chips and laced with the rich nuttiness of peanut butter—yes, we’re talking about Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars! Every bite is that irresistible combo of salty, sweet, and gooey that just melts all your worries away. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or sneaking a midnight treat, these bars deliver unbeatable comfort and nostalgia in one pan.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars is in the handful of pantry staples that create a full spectrum of flavors and textures. Each ingredient pulls its weight, giving you chewy, gooey, and outrageously delicious bars every single time.

Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): The base for a rich, tender crumb; using unsalted lets you control the salt level perfectly.
Creamy peanut butter (1/2 cup): For that melt-in-your-mouth texture and deep nutty flavor—go creamy for the smoothest dough.
Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Brightens up the bars and helps them spread just the right amount.
Light brown sugar, packed (1/2 cup): Adds irresistible caramel notes and keeps the bars moist and chewy.
Large egg (1): Binds everything together and gives structure for bars that hold their shape.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): A little splash goes a long way to deepen the cookie flavor.
All-purpose flour (1 cup): Just enough to bring everything together without making the bars dry.
Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Lifts the dough ever so slightly for that classic, soft bite.
Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances the sweet and heightens the peanut butteriness of every bite.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 cup): Every square needs that gooey, chocolate-studded joy—don’t skimp!

How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat

The first thing you’ll want to do is set yourself up for easy removal later—line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a bit of overhang on two sides. While you’re at it, preheat your oven to 350°F so it’s nice and hot when your dough is ready.

Step 2: Cream the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. You want this mixture to be ultra-smooth and a little fluffy, which promises a chewy, tender bar. Now, beat in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is fully incorporated and smells heavenly.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Grab another bowl and whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Giving these a quick whisk ensures that the baking soda and salt are evenly distributed, so you get perfectly baked bars from edge to center.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry

Pour the dry ingredients into the peanut butter mixture, stirring gently just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing—stop as soon as it’s combined so your Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars turn out tender and never tough.

Step 5: Add the Chocolate Chips

Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, making sure they’re evenly scattered throughout for that amazing, melty payoff in every bite. If you want to get a little wild, toss in a handful of chopped nuts at this stage!

Step 6: Spread and Bake

Scoop your dough into the prepared pan and gently smooth out the top. Bake for 22 to 26 minutes. Keep an eye on the edges—once they turn golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are okay!), you’re golden. For extra fudgy bars, err on the slightly underbaked side and let them finish setting in the pan as they cool.

Step 7: Cool and Cut

Let the bars cool completely in the pan—trust me, patience pays off here! Once cool, grab those parchment paper edges and lift the bars onto a cutting board, then slice into perfect squares. You now have a batch of Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars that will disappear in a flash!

How to Serve Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Garnishes

Top each bar with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for an extra pop of flavor, or drizzle with a touch of melted chocolate or caramel if you’re feeling fancy. A dusting of powdered sugar gives these cookie bars a pretty finish that’s picture-perfect for parties or bake sales.

Side Dishes

Enjoy these bars with a tall glass of cold milk—or, for the ultimate indulgence, serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A mug of hot coffee or homemade hot cocoa also complements their sweet-savory nature perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack a few bars in a pretty tin for gifting, or layer them in small jars with parchment for a fun picnic treat. For parties, cut the bars into mini squares and skewer them for cookie-bar kabobs. These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are as versatile as they are tasty.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, store your bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. Layer parchment between them to keep them from sticking and stay as fresh as the day you baked them.

Freezing

Freeze individually wrapped bars or the whole batch in a sealed freezer bag for up to three months. Let them thaw at room temperature, and they’ll taste every bit as delicious as freshly baked.

Reheating

To recapture that just-baked warmth, pop a bar in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. The chocolate gets all gooey again, and the peanut butter flavor becomes even more pronounced—trust me, it’s a game changer!

FAQs

Can I use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy?

Absolutely! Chunky peanut butter adds extra nutty bits for a little crunch in your Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. Just be aware the bars might be slightly less smooth, but every bite will still be deliciously satisfying.

What if I don’t have semi-sweet chocolate chips?

No worries! You can swap in milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or even a mix of whatever chocolates you love. The flavor profile will shift a bit, but the bars will stay just as irresistible.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

Check that the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Aim for slightly underbaked if you like softer bars, as they’ll firm up as they cool.

Can I add other mix-ins to the dough?

Definitely! Chopped toasted nuts, a handful of butterscotch chips, or even some chopped pretzels add fun texture and flavor twists to your Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars.

Is it possible to double the recipe?

You sure can—just bake the doubled batch in a 9×13-inch pan and keep an eye on the baking time, adding a few extra minutes as needed to ensure they’re perfectly baked throughout.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready for a treat that brings gooey nostalgia and big flavor in every square, give Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars a try. They’re easy enough for a weekday but special enough for any celebration—so grab your mixing bowl and bake up a batch for someone you love, or just for yourself!