A thick peanut butter cookie bar, just like your favorite thick and chewy peanut butter cookie, but only in easy cookie bar form.
This is the ultimate recipe for any peanut butter lover. My kids go crazy over these chewy Peanut Butter Cookie Bars!
We all love a good peanut butter cookie. In fact, this happens to be the best ever peanut butter cookie recipe on the planet. And today, I’m showing you how to make them in bar form.
Because sometimes, there just isn’t enough time in the day to make traditional cookies and the cookie craving still must be satisfied!
Chewy Peanut Butter Bars
There are no dry, crunchy peanut butter cookies allowed on my watch. Baking these Chewy Peanut Butter Cookie Bars in a pan ensures they will be thick and chewy – and slightly doughy if that’s your thing – take care not to over bake them!
I like to under-bake mine just a bit. They turn out nice and chewy every time.
This is one of the easiest recipes you make ever make and it’s sure to become a favorite. These cookie bars don’t require any special ingredients, so you likely always have everything you need on hand to make them.
That makes this recipe perfect for when you need a last minute treat to take somewhere or just have a late night baking craving.
Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
Cream together the butter, peanut butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla, stir in dry ingredients, bake, and ta-da! Peanut Butter Cookie Bars. They really are that easy.
We like to enjoy our peanut butter cookies around here in many different ways. I don’t think you can ever can have too many peanut butter desserts.
Creamy, fluffy peanut butter mousse (and this chocolate mousse too!) are no-bake summer desserts that get made frequently. This is the perfect after-dinner treat with friends, but it is also a fun dessert for no special occasion at all.
We like these No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies and these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies too.
For times when you’re feeling like something extra special, these Buckeyes (aka Peanut Butter Balls) are amazing on their own or when paired with these Buckeye Brownie Bites.
Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Treats are another easy peanut butter dessert that won’t even require you to turn on the oven.
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls pack a punch of rich peanut butter with the earthy taste of oats and that hint of sweetness we all crave.
Peanut Butter Cookie Bar Recipe
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan and set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir until well combined.
- Spread the batter in the 9×13 baking pan. Bake for about 28-32 minutes or until just set. But DO NOT overbake. They will firm up as the cool. Let cool before cutting into bars.
- Store tightly covered on the counter for a day or two or freeze for up to a few weeks.
If you make this recipe, let me know how you liked it. Leave a comment below or give it a rating in the recipe card. Happy Baking!
Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
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
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan and set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir until well combined.
- Spread the batter in the 9×13 baking pan. Bake for about 28-32 minutes or until just set. But DO NOT overbake. They will firm up as the cool. Let cool before cutting into bars.
- Store tightly covered on the counter for a day or two or freeze for up to a few weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
{originally published 9/16/19 – recipe notes and photos updated 7/1/21}
Tanya Schroeder says
Mmm these really do look soft and chewy! I never thought to turn peanut butter cookies into bars! I have to try these right away!
Laura Reese says
Bars are so much easier than cookies! A peanut butter version might be my new favorite treat. Thanks.
Paige says
I made mine in a glass Pyrex as it was all I had. I put it in the oven at 350 for 30 minutes because it didn’t seem done in the middle. I took it out and let it cool for 15 minutes and the center was still raw. A little disappointed but I put it back in the oven for 10 more mins at 400 and it still was raw in the center. Was it because I used glass???
Sandi says
I made these cookies this afternoon and they were, like you said, dangerously simple to make. I added chocolate chips during the last 5 minutes of baking and spread the chocolate over the top. Super yummy and so simple! Thank you for adding a new recipe to my list of favorites.
Tracy J Billings says
You should only be using organic ingredients. Better for your health and a crowd pleaser!
Cathy says
Definitely needs to cook more than 20 minutes. 35 minutes was perfect.
Susan J Gallup says
I have made these twice now and they are a group favorite. I bake every day for our noon meeting and since COVID hit bars have been my go to. They are easier to cut and individually wrap. My son is in the Army. I vacuum sealed and sent them to South Korea. He said they were soft and delicious.
nellie says
can crunchy peanut butter be used
Ann Marie Jonas says
I made these bar cookies last night. Really easy recipe which I followed to the letter. Unfortunately I think my oven temperature may be off, as I only baked them for 20 mins. as indicated… let them cool … went to cut them into bars and they were very under baked and were still like cookie dough. Will try again, but will probably leave in for longer bake time.
CW says
Wish I would have read this before I made them. I also followed the recipe for 20 minutes, then added another 4. Was afraid to let them go longer. Once they cooled and I cut them, I could only use the edge ones, as the rest were like dough. The ones on the edge were really good though. Probably try again and go 25 – 30.
Holly says
We made these for Christmas and we are all in love with them!!! I love bar recipes it makes it easy for my little ones to help. I was wondering if you thought we could use this recipe and make these in a cupcake pan as my son wants them for his birthday?
Mary says
Yes, you can bake them in a muffin tin. They won’t puff up like cupcakes, but you can make cookie cups that way. I’m so glad that you like the cookie bars, Holly!
Eunice Flagler says
I made these today and they are very very good. A keeper.
Mary says
I’m so glad you like the cookie bars, Eunice!
Eunice Flagler says
Hi Can you cut back on the white sugar and add more brown sugar??\ Thanks for the nice easy recipe.I hope I get a reply.
Roy says
I made these and they did turn out wonderfully. Next time I may add some chocolate chips just for a twist but as they are they were amazing 😁😁
Mary says
I’m thrilled you enjoyed them!
April says
These make the best bars. They are very addictive! I love peanut better cookies, and this is now my go to recipe.
Mary says
I’m so glad you like them!
Molly says
I left these in for 20 minutes and they were very jiggly so I put them in for 5 more minutes. I think they needed more like 15 more minutes. I tried to trust the instruction not to over bake (!!), but ended up with very underbaked. I do love gooey desserts but even after being cooled they were not appetizing.
Mary says
While all ovens can differ, that’s a pretty solid time difference. I’ll put this recipe on my list to re-test so that I can confirm that baking time. For what it’s worth, while you never want to overbake, definitely trust your instincts in the future if something doesn’t seem right. Sorry it was underdone for you!
Shawnna Moore says
I just made them and they taste amazing
Redhat says
I made these last night. I followed reviewers’ suggestions to bake for 35 minutes, and they turned out perfectly. While making them, I realized I had no baking powder. Argh! Too late to go to the grocery store. I substituted 1/2 tsp of baking soda for the 1 1/2 tsp of baking powder. The cookie bars came out fine.
Bridget says
I am a pastry chef and owner of two brick and mortar bakeries. This recipe is SO easy and truly delicious. The people who complained must’ve made an error in prep or used a wrong ingredient. Don’t hesitate. Make these bars now! They are perfect as is but can easily be dressed up with chocolate chips, frosting, course sugar, a drizzle, etc. I baked mine at 350 for 26 minutes. Perfection. Thanks for all the great recipes!
Mary says
Bridget – Thank you for stopping by with your comment. I am happy you enjoy these bars too!
Terre Robertson says
Awesome. I added peanut butter chips and honey roasted peanuts. Fabulous! Great recipe and super easy and fast to make
Jessica says
I added Reeses chips & mini chocolate chips to the top. These are what I’ll make instead of peanut butter cookies, because they’re softer.
Mary says
Sounds delicious, Jessica.
Esther says
I used crunchy peanut butter and cooked them for 28 minutes. Cooled then cut them. They were still undercooked. I put them back in the oven for 20 more minutes. Perfect! Not sure how anyone is getting baked cookies in the time listed in the recipe. They taste great.
Mary says
It is important to know your oven that is for sure, Esther.
Melissa says
Do you think you could use Gluten-free 1-to-1 measure for Measure Flour instead of regular in this recipe?
Mary says
If it is a GF blend that you’ve successfully used in other recipes, it should work fine, Melissa.
Robbin says
Gonna try these as bade to fluffinutter bars! Made them (as cookies) and have one left they never even made a cookie tray!
Mary says
Love it! Looks like you are making some more, Robbin.
Dawn Butts says
I used organic creamy peanut butter*. It made all the difference! My bars came out delicious and very moist. Cooked at 350° for 32-35 minutes! Amazing!!!
*peanut butter contained one ingredient:peanuts. I purchased from Sprouts.
Mary says
That is awesome, Dawn. Thank you for sharing.
Jan Reid says
I researched for recipes and found this one! These bars baked up perfectly, and have the perfect chew. I added a heaping cup of chocolate chips with more sprinkled on top. Definitely a keeper! Thank you for sharing.
Mary says
I am so happy you loved them, Jan.
Dana says
I made these and they were great. I used dark brown sugar (since the recipe did not indicate light or dark) And I baked at 350 for exactly 30 minutes and they were gooey perfection. I don’t understand those that say they were raw after 30 minutes. You MUST let them sit for a good hour or more before cutting. They’re supposed to be gooey. I think people are mistaken gooey for raw. They definitely weren’t raw. Delicious 🙂
Mary says
I’m so happy that you’re loving the peanut butter bars, Dana! Yes, they’re definitely supposed to be gooey bars, and it’s a good idea to wait for a while before cutting them. Often, prematurely cutting baked goods hot from the oven is going to result in a runny mess. Enjoy the recipe!
Ashley says
Bars turned out great!! Delicious and soft, I added no bake cheesecake on top for a delicious bar dessert
Mary says
That sounds delicious, Ashley! I hope you continue to enjoy the peanut butter bars in the future. Happy baking!
Derek S says
I’m be made these twice this week (both with a cup of semisweet chocolate chips) and they’re perfect.
Mary says
Glad to hear that the bars have been a hit, Derek! Enjoy, and happy baking.
Linda says
Looks awesome but first need to ask –
Can I use marjarine instead of butter?
Mary says
Most margarine can be used for baking in place of butter, however I haven’t personally tried that with this recipe.