Lewis County Recipes: No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

I've loved the combination of chocolate and peanut butter my whole life. Some things just go better together; I'd say these two companions are at the top of that list!

These bars are easy, decadent, and will put smiles on faces quickly. Made with ingredients in most Moms' kitchens, your friends and family will thank you for making something so similar to that "other" peanut butter/chocolate candy they all love.

This recipe is easily adapted to a vegan diet with some research for vegan substitutions. Enjoy!

Ingredients

½ cup (115g) salted butter, melted*

1 cup (85g) graham cracker crumbs (about 8 full sheet graham crackers)

2 cups (240g) confectioners' sugar

1 cup + 2 tablespoons (280g) creamy peanut butter, divided

1 cup (180g) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Line an 8×8 or 9×9 inch square baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Set aside.

Mix the melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, and confectioners' sugar together in a medium bowl. Stir in 1 cup (250g) of peanut butter, then press evenly into prepared baking pan.

Melt remaining two tablespoons of peanut butter with the chocolate chips in the microwave or on the stove. Stir until smooth. Spread over peanut butter layer.

Chill in the refrigerator until completely firm, at least 2 hours. Allow to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before cutting. Serve chilled. Setting them out for a few hours at room temperature for serving is OK. Makes 20-24 squares.

Cover leftover bars tightly and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Notes

Freezing Instructions: Cover bars tightly, as a whole or cut into individual squares, and freeze for up to three months. I simply line the squares in a freezer-friendly container between sheets of parchment paper. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Butter: Unsalted butter can be used instead. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt with the peanut butter in step two.

Peanut Butter: For best texture, I strongly suggest a processed creamy peanut butter such as Jif or Skippy. I do not recommend oily or natural style peanut butter for this recipe.

This recipe was updated in 2019 with more confectioners' sugar and peanut butter to produce thicker bars.

Recipe and photo by:

sallysbakingaddiction.com