Description
These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars combine creamy peanut butter and sweet chocolate chips in a soft, chewy bar that’s perfect for snacking or dessert. Baked until golden and tender, these bars deliver a delightful blend of rich peanut butter flavor and melty chocolate in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (128g) creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (165g) light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
Add-ins
- 1 1/2 cups (255g) peanut butter chips
- 1 1/2 cups (255g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy removal of the bars.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and fine sea salt. Set this mixture aside as the dry component to incorporate later.
- Combine Butters: In a separate large bowl, blend the softened unsalted butter and creamy peanut butter together until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
- Add Sugars: Gradually add granulated sugar and light brown sugar to the butter and peanut butter mixture. Mix thoroughly until the blend is light in color and fluffy in texture, which helps create a tender cookie bar.
- Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure even distribution. Then stir in the vanilla extract for added flavor depth.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can make the bars tough.
- Add Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips: Fold in the peanut butter chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough, adding bursts of flavor and texture.
- Press Dough into Pan: Evenly press the cookie dough into the prepared 9×13 inch baking pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula or your hands for uniform thickness.
- Bake the Bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean, indicating doneness.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the baked bars to cool completely in the pan. Use the parchment paper to lift them out easily, then cut into 16 squares for serving.
Notes
- For chewier bars, slightly underbake by removing them when the toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
- You can substitute the peanut butter chips with white chocolate chips or butterscotch chips for a different flavor profile.
- Ensure the butter and peanut butter are softened to room temperature for easier mixing and better texture.
