Name: Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Yield: 16
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup creamy peanut butter; ½ cup unsalted butter; 1 cup brown sugar; 2 cups oat flour (or all-purpose flour, heat-treated); 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoons milk; 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter

Magical peanut butter cookie dough bars dance between decadent dessert and childhood nostalgia.

Creamy layers promise pure indulgence without baking complicated ingredients.

Sweet memories flood back with each delightful bite.

Smooth texture and rich flavors combine effortlessly in this quick treat.

Chocolate chips add delightful crunch to the silky dough base.

Comfort arrives in small, perfectly crafted squares that melt on your tongue.

You’ll want to savor every single delectable morsel of this irresistible recipe.

Quick No-Bake Delight
Perfect for busy home bakers who want a delicious treat without turning on the oven, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Satisfaction
Whip up these bars using pantry staples like peanut butter, chocolate chips, and oat flour, making it super convenient for spontaneous dessert cravings.
Family-Friendly Sweet Escape
Kids and adults will love the classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate, creating a crowd-pleasing dessert that's simple enough for little helpers to assist in preparing.
Versatile Chilled Treat
Ideal for potlucks, summer gatherings, or as a make-ahead dessert that can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator, offering stress-free entertaining options.

Cookie Dough Base:

Peanut Butter, Butter: Creamy foundations that provide rich flavor and smooth texture. Natural peanut butter works best for authentic taste.
Brown Sugar: Adds deep sweetness and moisture to the cookie dough layer. Dark brown sugar offers more intense caramel notes.
Oat Flour: Gluten-free base that creates a soft, crumbly texture. Ensures smooth consistency in the dough.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, sweet notes. Pure vanilla delivers the best results.
Salt: Balances sweetness and highlights other ingredients. Fine sea salt recommended.

Liquid Binder:

Milk: Helps bind the cookie dough and create perfect consistency. Room temperature milk works best.

Chocolate Topping:

Chocolate Chips, Peanut Butter: Combines for a glossy, rich chocolate layer. Dark or semi-sweet chocolate recommended for deeper flavor.

Preparation Support:

Parchment Paper: Ensures easy removal and clean slicing of bars. Essential for neat presentation.

Step 1: Whip Up Cookie Dough Magic

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and combine:

Creamy peanut butter
Softened butter
Brown sugar

Beat these ingredients until they transform into a light, fluffy cloud. Splash in vanilla extract and sprinkle salt, then gently fold in oat flour until the mixture becomes wonderfully crumbly. Drizzle milk gradually, working the dough until it resembles perfect cookie dough consistency.

Step 2: Create the Foundation

Take an 8×8-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, allowing extra paper to hang over the edges for easy lifting. Use your hands or a spatula to press the cookie dough mixture evenly across the pan, creating a smooth, tempting base.

Step 3: Melt Chocolate Decadence

Collect chocolate chips and peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in short 20-second bursts, stirring between each interval, until the mixture transforms into a silky, glossy pool of chocolatey goodness.

Step 4: Layer and Chill

Pour the molten chocolate mixture over the cookie dough layer, spreading it carefully to create an even, luxurious topping. Transfer the pan to the refrigerator and let it rest for at least 2 hours, allowing the layers to set and harmonize.

Step 5: Slice and Indulge

Remove the bars from the refrigerator and lift them out using the parchment paper overhang. Slice into squares or rectangular strips. These bars can be enjoyed straight from the fridge or allowed to soften slightly at room temperature for a melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Tips for Making Bars with the Perfect Texture

Soften Ingredients Perfectly: Let butter and peanut butter sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, creamy blending without lumps.
Control Dough Consistency: Add milk gradually to achieve the right cookie dough texture- it should hold together but not be too wet or dry.
Prevent Chocolate Burning: Melt chocolate chips and peanut butter slowly in short microwave intervals, stirring between each to avoid scorching and ensure silky smoothness.
Chill for Clean Cuts: Refrigerate bars for at least 2 hours to help chocolate set firmly, making it easier to slice into clean, neat squares without crumbling.
Customize Dietary Needs: Swap oat flour for gluten-free alternatives like almond or coconut flour, and use dairy-free chocolate chips for vegan-friendly version.

Store the peanut butter cookie dough bars in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and delicious.
Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to preserve for up to 3 months without losing their incredible flavor.
Remove frozen bars from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying their creamy texture and rich taste.
Always keep the bars chilled or at cool room temperature to maintain their perfect consistency and prevent chocolate from melting.

Rich espresso mellows the sweet intensity of the bars, creating a balanced flavor contrast that dance across your taste buds.
A fruity Merlot complements the chocolate and peanut butter, cutting through the dessert's richness with its smooth tannin structure.
Classic whole milk enhances the cookie dough's sweetness, providing a classic refreshing backdrop that cleanses the palate between bites.
Craft beer's deep roasted notes amplify the chocolate and peanut butter flavors, delivering a sophisticated adult dessert experience.

Gluten-Free Version: Replace oat flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend to create a celiac-friendly option that maintains the rich peanut butter cookie dough taste.
Vegan Alternative: Swap butter with coconut oil, use dairy-free chocolate chips, and substitute milk with almond or oat milk for a plant-based treat that keeps the original recipe's creamy texture.
Low-Sugar Option: Use sugar-free chocolate chips, replace brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener, and reduce overall sweetness while preserving the classic peanut butter flavor profile.
Protein-Packed Modification: Add a scoop of vanilla or peanut butter protein powder to the cookie dough layer for an extra nutritional boost without compromising the dessert's delicious texture.

Is the recipe gluten-free?

No, but it can be easily made gluten-free by using certified gluten-free oat flour and ensuring all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.

Can I substitute the peanut butter?

Yes, you can use almond butter or sunflower seed butter as alternatives, but this will change the classic peanut butter flavor profile.

How do I know when the cookie dough is the right consistency?

The dough should hold together when pressed and feel slightly sticky but not wet. Add milk gradually to achieve the perfect texture.

Do I need any special equipment to make these bars?

You’ll just need a mixing bowl, spatula, 8×8-inch baking pan, parchment paper, and basic measuring tools like cups and spoons.

Jamie Granger

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Fusion Cuisine Development
Recipe Development and Food Styling
Culinary Writing and Content Creation
Nutrition and Healthy Cooking

Education

Culinary Institute of America

Degree: Associate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on flavor development, classic and contemporary culinary techniques, menu design, and global cuisine preparation; combined with food-service management, communication, and finance training; and immersive hands‑on restaurant operations through paid industry internships.

Jamie Granger turns ingredients into memories. With her recipes, she brings a fusion-forward flair to every creation.

Her dishes reflect the places she’s explored, the chefs she’s learned from, and the deep connection she has to food as a form of expression.

At Pass and Provision, Jamie develops recipes that balance flavor, health, and beauty, meals that don’t just satisfy your appetite but speak to your curiosity.