Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

Ooey-Gooey Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

Chocolate chip and peanut butter create an irresistible dance of flavors in these decadent bars.

The chewy peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bars bring comfort and excitement to every single bite.

Soft, rich, and packed with indulgent ingredients, these bars promise pure dessert bliss.

Each square delivers a perfect balance of sweet chocolate and creamy peanut butter.

The texture combines a crisp edge with a melt-in-your-mouth center that keeps you coming back for more.

Baking these bars transforms an ordinary afternoon into a delightful treat.

Your taste buds will thank you for this simple yet spectacular dessert that comes together in minutes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 16

What Goes Into These Gooey Peanut Butter Bars

For Base Ingredients:
  • Unsalted Butter: Rich, creamy foundation that adds luxurious texture and helps bind ingredients together; choose high-quality butter for best flavor.
  • Peanut Butter: Provides deep nutty essence and helps create soft, moist texture; opt for smooth, natural peanut butter without added sugars.
For Sweeteners:
  • Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Create signature sweetness and contribute to chewy, caramelized edges; select fresh, moisture-rich brown sugar.
For Binding Elements:
  • Egg, Egg Yolk: Ensure structural integrity and moisture in cookie bars; use fresh, room-temperature eggs for smooth incorporation.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity and adds warm aromatic notes; choose pure vanilla for superior taste.
For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and determines cookie bar's texture; sift to eliminate lumps and ensure even distribution.
  • Baking Powder: Generates soft, light rise and prevents dense texture; check freshness for optimal leavening.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavor profiles; use fine sea salt for even seasoning.
For Mix-In Ingredients:
  • Chocolate Chips, Peanut Butter Chips: Create delightful pockets of melted goodness and add textural interest; select high-quality chips for maximum flavor impact.

Tools That Help Nail the Texture Just Right

  • Mixing Bowl: Large bowl for combining ingredients smoothly.
  • Whisk: Essential for blending butter, sugars, and wet ingredients thoroughly.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for dry and wet ingredients.
  • 9×9-inch Baking Pan: Square pan for creating perfect cookie bars.
  • Parchment Paper: Helps remove bars easily and prevents sticking.
  • Spatula or Wooden Spoon: For folding chocolate chips and mixing dough.
  • Cooling Rack: Optional for cooling bars after removing from pan.

Bake Bars That Hit Every Sweet Note

  • Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350°F and grab a 9×9 baking pan. Line it with parchment paper so your treats slide out like magic.

  • Mix the Magic

Grab a big bowl and blend melted butter, creamy peanut butter, and both sugars until they’re best friends. Toss in the egg, extra yolk, and vanilla – give it a wild whirl until everything looks smooth and dreamy.

  • Bring in the Flour Power

Softly fold in flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Don’t go crazy mixing – just blend until everything looks happy together. Now sprinkle in those chocolate chips for some serious deliciousness.

  • Bake to Perfection

Spread the dough evenly across your prepped pan. Slide it into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. You want the edges looking set but the center still soft and tempting.

  • Cool and Slice

Let the bars chill in the pan for 15 minutes. Then lift them out using the parchment paper and slice into squares of pure joy. Watch everyone’s eyes light up when they take a bite!

Toppings, Mix-Ins, and Custom Tweaks

  • Let bars cool completely for the ultimate gooey, fudgy consistency that holds together beautifully when sliced.
  • Replace chocolate chips with butterscotch, white chocolate, or caramel chips for a delightful flavor twist that keeps the recipe exciting.
  • Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring those with wheat sensitivities can enjoy these decadent bars without compromise.
  • Use natural peanut butter with no added sugar and swap half the butter with Greek yogurt to reduce calories while maintaining rich, creamy texture.
  • Wrap unbaked dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze for 1 month, allowing flexible baking whenever cookie cravings strike.

Serve Them Warm, Cold, or Topped with Ice Cream

  • Decadent Dessert Companion: A scoop of vanilla ice cream melts beautifully over these warm, gooey bars, creating a dreamy contrast of temperatures and textures.
  • Coffeehouse Indulgence: Pair with a rich espresso or cappuccino to balance the sweetness and enhance the deep chocolate and peanut butter flavors.
  • Nostalgic Snack Platter: Arrange bars on a platter with cold milk or a classic chocolate milkshake for a classic childhood-inspired treat that brings pure comfort and joy.
  • Gifting Delight: Wrap individual bars in cute parchment paper or place in a decorative box for a homemade gift that will make friends and family smile with each delicious bite.

Smart Storage for Sweet-Tooth Moments Anytime

  • Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container to maintain softness and prevent drying out.
  • Refrigerate for up to 5 days, keeping the bars fresh and maintaining their rich, gooey texture.
  • Carefully stack bars between parchment paper layers in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for extended enjoyment.
  • Keep bars at room temperature for 2-3 days in a sealed container, ensuring maximum flavor and soft consistency.
Print
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Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe


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4.8 from 35 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 17 1x

Description

Homemade “Gooey Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars” deliver irresistible comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen. Sweet chocolate and creamy peanut butter create a delightful dessert you won’t want to miss.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (180 g) chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
  • ½ cup (75 g) peanut butter chips (optional, for extra peanut butter flavor)
  • 1 ¼ cups (160 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg + 1 egg yolk
  • ¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar
  • ½ cup (120 g) creamy peanut butter
  • ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Prep & Setup: Calibrate oven to 350°F (175°C). Dress a 9×9-inch baking vessel with parchment paper, ensuring overhanging edges for effortless extraction.
  2. Dough Fusion: Vigorously whisk melted butter, peanut butter, brown and granulated sugars until silky smooth. Integrate egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly. Gently fold in flour, baking powder, and salt, stirring minimally. Incorporate chocolate and peanut butter chips, distributing evenly throughout the mixture.
  3. Baking Transformation: Transfer dough into prepared pan, spreading uniformly. Slide into preheated oven, allowing 20-25 minutes of transformative heat until edges stabilize and center maintains a seductive, molten texture. After emerging from oven, permit 15-minute cooling period within pan. Leverage parchment edges to extract and slice into delectable squares.

Notes

  • Melt butter carefully to avoid overheating, which can affect the cookie bar’s texture and flavor.
  • Gently fold chocolate and peanut butter chips to ensure even spread throughout the dough, preventing clumping.
  • Watch the edges carefully during baking – they should look set while the center remains slightly soft for that signature gooey texture.
  • Use parchment paper overhang for effortless removal and clean cutting of cookie bars, preventing crumbling and ensuring perfect squares.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 17
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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