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You only need five ingredients to make these Peanut Butter Bars that are thick, creamy, fudgy and taste just like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
This is a no-bake easy dessert recipe that can be ready in about two hours, only because you have to chill the bottom layer.
Let me share with you one of my husband's favorite recipes.
My family has consumed a ton of Reese's peanut butter cups over the years. I mean tons. I think my husband has a few every other day or so!
He loves to enjoy straight from the freezer on most nights. So you can imagine my surprise and his, when I first started making this peanut butter bars recipe about six years ago.
This is such an easy recipe to put together as well. As a matter of fact, the only thing complicated about this homemade peanut butter squares recipe is you need to be patient. You have to wait for the bottom layer to chill before continuing with the recipe.
Looking for more No Bake Desserts and Recipes? Try my No Bake Peanut Butter Cups, Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs or my Reese's Peanut Butter Hearts...yummy!
Peanut Butter Recipes:
- Peanut Butter Cookies from a Cake Mix
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Stuffed Cupcakes
- 5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies
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Main Ingredients Needed
Make sure you print out the recipe below and save it for later!
- Melted Butter
- Powdered sugar
- Creamy peanut butter
- Graham cracker crumbs- about 12 full graham cracker sheets.
- Milk chocolate chips or Semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Substitutions and Variations
- I have made this recipe using both milk chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- While I personally prefer the milk chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips are what I usually have on hand and taste delicious too!
Step-by-Step Directions
Peanut Butter Layer
- Step 1: In a large bowl, mix together the melted butter, powdered sugar, creamy peanut butter and graham cracker crumbs.
- Step 2: Using a wooden spoon, stir to combine completely.
- Step 3: Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9X13 baking pan.
- Step 4: Place the baking dish in the refrigerator so it can chill for about an hour before adding the second layer.
- Step 5: Once the peanut butter layer is firm, melt the chocolate chips with the peanut butter in a microwavable-safe bowl, combine the peanut butter and chocolate chips.
- Step 6: Heat in one minute intervals until everything is melted and smooth.
- Step 7: Spread the second layer of the melted chocolate with peanut butter. Then place them back in the refrigerator to chill another hour or so before slicing.
🥣Serving Tips
- This recipe needs to be chilled completely in order to slice perfectly and neatly.
- Homemade Peanut Butter Bars are the perfect treat to serve to your family of peanut butter lovers!
Before You Begin!
If you make this recipe, please leave a review and star rating. This helps my business thrive and continue providing FREE recipes.
🍶Storage Tips
- Once the peanut butter bars are sliced, store them in an air-tight container.
- I like to put waxed paper between the layers so they don't stick.
- Depending on the time of year, you may need to store the peanut butter bars in the refrigerator.
🌟Try these recipes next...
Looking for more No Bake Desserts and Recipes? Try my No Bake Peanut Butter Cups, Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs or my Reese's Peanut Butter Hearts...yummy!
📖 Recipe Card
Print Recipe
4.38 from 80 votes
No Bake Homemade Peanut Butter Bars
An easy and delicious no bake recipe for homemade peanut butter bars that taste just like the peanut butter cups you buy in the store. Really, they do!
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Cook Time2 hours hrs
Total Time2 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Keyword: no-bake homemade peanut butter bars
Servings: 24 squares
Calories: 422kcal
Author: Lois
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Peanut Butter Layer
- 1 cup butter melted
- 3 ¾ cups powdered sugar
- 1 ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 ½ cup graham cracker crumbs
For the Topping
- 2 cups milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips; see note below
- 1 ½ cup creamy peanut butter
Instructions
In a large bowl, mix together the ingredients for the peanut butter layer.
Press into a 13X9 inch baking pan.
Chill for one hour.
Place chocolate chips and peanut butter into a microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave for one minute. Stir until melted and smooth. Repeat if necessary until all the chocolate chips are melted.
Pour over the peanut butter layer. Chill for another hour or until firm.
Slice and enjoy!
Notes
I have made this recipe using both milk chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 422kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 250mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 27g
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This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2016 with new photos and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Reader Interactions
Comments
Melissa says
Have you tried it with white chocolate chips?
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Lois says
It will be a completely different taste, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. Reese's does sell a white chocolate peanut butter cup! Let me know how it works for you.
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Cindy Bree says
I used Nilla Wafers instead of graham crackers.
It was heavenly good.
I’m sure it’s way better this way.Reply
NickiDE says
Scrumptious! So easy to make and just the thing in our current heatwave. Taste really good right from the refrigerator. I might even try them with shortbread cookie crumbs sometime.
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Lois says
Glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thank you!
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Carla says
If I use Graham cracker crumbs instead of crackers, how many cups do you think I should use?
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Lois says
I have listed in the recipe card: 1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
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Donna @ Modern on Monticello says
I think these would definitely be worth the wait no matter how long it takes. Looks so good! #HomeMattersParty
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MAGGIE says
For some reason, the chocolate layer separates from the peanut butter layer. I followed the instructions exactly. any suggestions?
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Diane King says
You mentioned that these may have to be refrigerated at certain times of the year. Do they have to be refrigerated in hot or cold weather? I would like to make these in the winter I am wondering if they will hold up if left out of the fridge for long periods of time?
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Lois says
I sent you a personal email as well Diane, I hope you received it! If not, please check your spam folder.
Depending on where you live, the temperature of the room, etc these peanut butter bars hold up well when left on the counter or buffet table.If you were leaving them out on a picnic table, the chocolate would start to get soft because of the heat after awhile.Except for the hotter months of the year, I leave the container on our kitchen counter.Thank you for visiting my site and reaching out to me. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
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Ellen says
You state we can't use semi sweet chocolate chips. Why not?
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Lois says
I sent you a personal email Ellen regarding your question. I prefer milk chocolate chips because of the taste. They make the bars taste just like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. You're welcome to try semi-sweet if that's the flavor you prefer. Thank you for visiting!
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Jessica says
These homemade peanut butter bars are so easy to make! YUM.
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Lois says
Thank you Jessica!
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Richella J Parham says
These look delicious!! Reese's pb cups are a favorite candy around here, so I'm excited to try these. I love the idea of using peanut butter in the chocolate topping as well as the bottom. I imagine this makes the topping softer and more pliable. I've pinned this!
Thank you so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace! I'm featuring you this week.
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Lois says
Thank you for the feature Richella!
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Mother of 3 says
That sounds so yummy! I haven't made peanut butter bars in so long but I do find the key is patience and letting those layers really cool off and harden together. Pinned.
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Lois says
Yes, you're right! Thanks for visiting!
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Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food says
I have an unhealthy obsession with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, so this recipe may be my undoing! Especially since these homemade peanut butter bars are so easy to make! YUM.Reply
Karen says
What is the size of the bag of chocolate chips? I have a very large bag, somehow don’t think it will work...size always matters.
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Lois says
You need 2 cups of chocolate chips. I will update the recipe card with that correct info. Thank you Karen.
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Linda says
It says 2 cups in the recipe.
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Lois says
Thanks Linda!
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Lisa Conforto says
Hi nice to meet you, this recipe is going to be a hit with my full of chocolate and Peanut butter lovers... Lisa@ Sweet Tea N' Salty Air
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Kimberlee Gibson says
Thanks for sharing this recipe. I have one that is similar but only makes an 8 by 8 pan - it doesn't have any peanut butter in the chocolate either. My kids love the recipe - I am looking forward to trying this on as it makes a bigger pan - pinned.
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Shirley Wood says
I like the combination of chocolate and peanut butter. Thanks for sharing your yummy recipe with us at Merry Monday!
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Catherine says
Dear Lois, these bars look magnificent! Anything with peanut butter is right up my alley...these are calling to me. xoxo, Catherine
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