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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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
{originally published 9/16/19 – recipe notes and photos updated 7/1/21}
This recipe is my absolute favorite.
Can you help me adjust your recipe for high altitudes?
Thanks. Happy New Year!
I don’t typically adjust these for high altitude, Barb.
I made these bars for my peanut butter obsessed husband – I was slightly concerned do to some of comments lack of success and potentially wasting so many eggs – butter etc…
I weighed all of the ingredients and followed the instructions exactly. I did let my dough rest for an hour before baking and took out of oven when edges were slightly browned and middle was soft (not liquidy). THEY ARE AWESOME!! I highly recommend this recipe- and if you can let your dough rest before baking.
I’m so glad you like the bars, Robin. Glad they were a hit.
These are soooo delicious! Absolutely perfect.
I’m thrilled you are enjoying them!
Looks awesome but first need to ask –
Can I use marjarine instead of butter?
Most margarine can be used for baking in place of butter, however I haven’t personally tried that with this recipe.
I’m be made these twice this week (both with a cup of semisweet chocolate chips) and they’re perfect.
Glad to hear that the bars have been a hit, Derek! Enjoy, and happy baking.
Bars turned out great!! Delicious and soft, I added no bake cheesecake on top for a delicious bar dessert
That sounds delicious, Ashley! I hope you continue to enjoy the peanut butter bars in the future. Happy baking!
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 🙂
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!
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.
I am so happy you loved them, Jan.
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.
That is awesome, Dawn. Thank you for sharing.
Gonna try these as bade to fluffinutter bars! Made them (as cookies) and have one left they never even made a cookie tray!
Love it! Looks like you are making some more, Robbin.