Irresistible Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Bars: Your New Favorite Dessert Recipe
Prepare for a symphony of flavors that will delight every peanut butter and chocolate enthusiast! These **Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Bars** are more than just a dessert; they are a delightful experience, boasting layers of rich, creamy, and utterly addictive goodness. Imagine a soft, chewy peanut butter cookie base, generously topped with a luscious chocolate-peanut butter filling, and finished with a crunchy, sweet peanut butter crumble. It’s the ultimate treat that promises to have everyone asking for the recipe – and perhaps even knocking on your door!
Why These Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Bars Are a Must-Try
If the thought of sweetened condensed milk gives you pause, now is the perfect moment to conquer that fear and wholeheartedly embrace the irresistible combination of chocolate and peanut butter. This recipe truly shines with a star ingredient: sweetened condensed milk, which creates an incredibly smooth, fudgy filling that’s simply divine. The magic happens as these bars rest and cool completely, allowing the layers to meld into a cohesive, intensely flavorful dessert. In fact, they’re often even better the next day, making them a fantastic make-ahead option for any occasion.
When I first introduced these **chocolate peanut butter bars** to my family, they vanished faster than I could say “dessert!” My kids swarmed the plate like vultures, and before I knew it, the serving platter was practically bare. These bars are notoriously addictive and incredibly rich, so proceed with caution – it’s easy to overindulge! While this recipe uses classic semisweet chocolate chips for a balanced flavor, feel free to experiment. You can easily substitute dark chocolate for a more intense cocoa hit or milk chocolate for a sweeter, creamier profile, catering to your personal preference.
Perfect for Any Occasion
One of the many charms of these **homemade peanut butter bars** is their versatility. They are absolutely perfect for on-the-go snacking and make an excellent addition to any event. Pack them for a delightful picnic, bring them to a party as a surefire crowd-pleaser, or even include them in school or work lunches for a special treat. For a bite-sized experience that’s ideal for sharing, simply cut them into smaller pieces. Their robust structure makes them easy to transport without losing their shape or delicious appeal.
Customizing Your Peanut Butter Experience
While I generally prefer creamy peanut butter for its smooth texture, especially in baked goods, I’ve often wondered how these bars would taste with crunchy peanut butter. I bet they would be fantastic, adding an extra dimension of texture to each bite! Growing up, it was always crunchy peanut butter for my PB&J sandwiches – my mom always made sure there was a jar in the pantry just for me. For these layer bars, creamy peanut butter provides a consistent and tender crumb, but if you’re a fan of that satisfying crunch, don’t hesitate to experiment with a chunky variety. It could be a delightful twist!
Tips for Serving and Storing Your Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Bars
One of the best features of this recipe is how easy it is to handle once baked. As you can see from the photos, you’ll lift the entire dessert out of the baking pan using the foil lining – it acts as convenient handles! For the cleanest cuts and best texture, it’s essential to allow these **peanut butter chocolate bars** to cool completely before slicing. If you plan to take them to a gathering or transport them, simply leave the cooled slab on a cutting board, covered with foil. Then, when you arrive at your destination, you can easily cut them into perfect squares or rectangles, ready to serve and enjoy. Store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, or in the refrigerator for extended freshness.
Why Sweetened Condensed Milk is Key
The secret to the incredibly smooth and decadent chocolate-peanut butter filling in these layer bars lies in the sweetened condensed milk. Unlike evaporated milk or regular milk, sweetened condensed milk is thick, sweet, and has been cooked down to remove much of its water content. This gives it a unique texture and richness that creates a perfectly gooey, yet firm, layer when combined with chocolate chips and extra peanut butter. It truly elevates the flavor profile and contributes to the bar’s addictive quality, making it a staple in many classic dessert recipes. Don’t be shy – embrace this ingredient!
We hope you thoroughly enjoy preparing and savoring these delightful **decadent layer bars**. They are truly a treat that combines two of the most beloved dessert flavors into one irresistible package. Until next time, happy baking!
More Chocolate and Peanut Butter Recipes
If these Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Bars have awakened your cravings, you’re in luck! The classic combination of chocolate and peanut butter is a perennial favorite, leading to an endless array of delicious desserts. From chewy cookies to creamy fudges, there’s a peanut butter and chocolate treat for every preference. Explore some of our other top recipes that celebrate this iconic pairing. Each recipe offers a unique way to enjoy these two harmonious flavors, ensuring there’s always something new and exciting to bake (or not bake!).
- Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
- No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
- Fudge Brownies with Peanut Butter Frosting
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Bars Recipe
Get ready to bake these incredible bars with our detailed, easy-to-follow recipe card below!
Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Bars
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks, softened
- 1 ½ cups packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 3 cups unbleached all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Filling:
- 1 14- ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 ½ cups semi sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
Topping:
- ⅓ cup miniature chocolate chips
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 13×9 baking pan with foil, spray the foil with cooking spray.
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In mixing bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Add the brown sugar and beat until well combined. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until combined. Add 2 cups peanut butter and 2 teaspoons of vanilla; beat until combined.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Turn mixture down to low and gradually add in the flour mixture until completely combined and dough comes together.
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To make the filling, heat the sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons peanut butter, stirring occasionally, in a heavy saucepan over low heat until melted and creamy. Remove from heat and add the 2 teaspoons of vanilla.
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Measure out 2 cups of the peanut butter dough and set it aside for the topping.
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Press the remaining dough into the prepared pan. Spread the chocolate filing over the dough in the pan. Crumble the reserved dough over the top of the filling. Sprinkle with miniature chocolate chips.
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Bake for 30 minutes or until topping is light golden brown. Cool in the pan on a wire rack.
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Using the foil as handles, lift out of the pan and place on a cutting board. Cut into bars.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.