Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

4.80 from 10 votes

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars are perfect in lunch boxes or for an after-school snack! They will be a welcome treat wherever they are served.

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Chilling Time1 30

Total Time1 45

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: bars

Author: Jamie Sherman

Line a 9x13-inch cooking pan (or similar size) with parchment paper.
Melt butter and allow to cool for just a few minutes.
In a medium mixing bowl, thoroughly combine your graham cracker crumbs (for best results, do not overheat butter. Heat just to the melting point.), melted butter, powdered sugar, and a cup of peanut butter. Once combined, the mixture should have a sticky, dough-like texture.
Place the peanut butter mixture into a 9x13-inch baking pan and evenly press so that the peanut butter mixture is even and flat across the surface.
Melt the chocolate chips and the remaining 1/2-cup peanut butter together, making sure you stir until the combination is smooth and creamy in appearance.
Spread the chocolate mixture over the previously pressed peanut butter mixture. Ensure the chocolate is evenly spread across the top.
Place the chocolate peanut butter bars in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1-2 hours.
Once chilled, remove them from the pan and carefully cut them into equal pieces using a long sharp knife.
Serve chilled. Do not keep the bars out for long periods; refrigerate after 2 hours.

Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week using an airtight container. It is recommended that you separate the bars using parchment paper to avoid sticking together.
Freeze for up to 3 months using an airtight container. Be sure to use parchment to separate the bars. To thaw, place in the refrigerator overnight and serve.

You can also use an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch square dish that will create thicker bars.
Make sure to line your baking pan or square dish with parchment paper so you can easily remove the bars after chilling.
For best results, do not overheat the butter. Instead, heat it just to the melting point.
You can use the stovetop or microwave to melt the chocolate and peanut butter. If using a stovetop, use a saucepan and heat-safe bowl or double boiler to blend the chocolate and peanut butter.
Using peanut butter in the topping gives the chocolate a creamier texture and helps when cutting the bars, so the chocolate doesn’t crack.
Make sure to let the bars chill in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours before serving. Alternatively, you can make them the night before and let them chill overnight.
To cut the bars, carefully use a long sharp, or serrated knife.