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Peanut Butter Cookie Bars Recipe

4.7 from 82 reviews

Deliciously rich and chewy Peanut Butter Cookie Bars with a perfect balance of sweet and nutty flavors. These bars are easy to make, baked to golden perfection, and ideal for sharing or enjoying as a tasty treat anytime.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1¼ cups white sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan thoroughly and set it aside to ensure the cookie bars don’t stick.
  2. Cream butter, peanut butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer or whisk to cream together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until the mixture is smooth and well combined, forming a creamy base.
  3. Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, mixing each until fully incorporated for a smooth batter.
  4. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents and salt.
  5. Mix dry ingredients into wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until everything is just combined into a smooth batter without overmixing.
  6. Spread batter and bake: Spread the prepared batter evenly into the greased 9 x 13 inch baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 28-32 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is just firm. Avoid overbaking to keep the bars chewy.
  7. Cool and store: Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. Store the bars tightly covered at room temperature for 1-2 days or freeze for up to several weeks to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • Do not overbake to keep bars soft and chewy.
  • Ensure butter is softened for easy creaming with sugars.
  • Use creamy peanut butter for a smooth texture.
  • Bars will firm up as they cool, so allow them to rest before slicing.
  • Can be stored covered on the counter for a day or two, or frozen for longer storage.

Keywords: Peanut Butter Cookie Bars, Peanut Butter Bars, Cookie Bars, Easy Dessert, Baked Cookies, Chewy Peanut Butter Bars