These Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bars are a delicious dessert made with a creamy peanut butter and graham cracker crumb base topped with smooth, rich chocolate. This easy no-bake dessert requires no oven and comes together quickly before chilling in the refrigerator until firm. If you love the classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate, these homemade dessert bars are an easy treat for any occasion.
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Why You'll Love These Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bars
- No oven required: These easy no-bake peanut butter chocolate bars set in the refrigerator, making them perfect when you want a homemade dessert without turning on the oven.
- Quick and easy to make: With simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, these peanut butter chocolate bars come together with very little hands-on effort.
- Great for make-ahead desserts: The bars need time to chill and firm up, so they're convenient to prepare ahead of time for parties, potlucks, gatherings, or snacks.
- A classic flavor combination: Creamy peanut butter and rich semi-sweet chocolate create the irresistible combination that makes these bars such a satisfying dessert.
Ingredients - Here's What You'll Need
Steps to Make Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bars
- Place the unsalted butter in a large microwave-safe bowl and melt it in the microwave. Then, add one cup of peanut butter. Beat together using an electric hand mixer until well combined.
- Next add the powdered sugar, continue beating with the hand mixer until well combined.
- Then, add the graham cracker crumbs, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Then secure the parchment to the pan with some clips. Transfer the peanut butter mixture to the prepared pan using a large ice cream scoop. Put on vinyl gloves and press the mixture into the pan in an even layer.
- Place the semi-sweet chocolate chips and ¼ cup peanut butter into a microwave proof bowl.
- Microwave 30 seconds at a time, stirring well after each heating, for a total of 1 minute and 30 seconds, or until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut mixture in the pan.
- Then, spread the chocolate into an even layer, covering the peanut butter mixture completely. Remove the clips and cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil. Refrigerate the peanut butter and chocolate bars for at least two hours, or until the bars are firm and the chocolate topping is set.
- After the bars are set, remove them from the pan by lift the parchment out. Carefully peel the parchment away from the bars and place them on a large cutting board, then cut them into squares. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bars combine a creamy peanut butter and graham cracker layer with a smooth chocolate topping for a delicious homemade dessert. Because these no-bake dessert bars set in the refrigerator instead of the oven, they're an especially convenient treat to make ahead for family and friends. Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bars are a simple, satisfying choice whenever you're craving a classic chocolate and peanut butter dessert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Almond butter and cashew butter are suggested alternatives to peanut butter. Keep in mind that changing the nut butter may alter the flavor and texture of the finished bars.
The original recipe suggests vanilla wafers, chopped nuts, or pretzels as possible substitutes for graham crackers. Pretzels can add a particularly nice salty contrast to the sweet peanut butter and chocolate layers.
Yes. These bars are well suited to making ahead because they need at least two hours of refrigeration before serving. You can prepare them in advance and keep them refrigerated until you're ready to cut and serve them. They can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
For cleaner cuts, use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wipe it dry between slices. This helps the knife move more easily through the firm chocolate topping without cracking it.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Use creamy peanut butter for a smooth texture: Creamy peanut butter works particularly well for creating an even peanut butter layer.
- Don't rush the chilling time: Refrigerate the bars for at least two hours so the peanut butter layer has time to firm up and the chocolate topping can set completely.
- Melt the chocolate gradually: Microwave the chocolate and peanut butter mixture in short 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval. This helps the chocolate melt evenly.
- Press the peanut butter mixture evenly: An even layer gives the finished bars a consistent thickness and makes them easier to cut and serve.
Other Great No-Bake Desserts
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Recipe
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Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bars
Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking pan
- Vinyl Gloves
- Electric hand mixer
- Large Bowl
- microwave proof bowl
- rubber spatula
- Parchment paper
- clips to secure the parchment to the pan
Ingredients
- 1 c Unsalted Butter melted
- 1 ¼ c Creamy Peanut Butter divided
- 2 c Powdered Sugar
- 2 c Graham Cracker Crumbs
- 12 oz Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Instructions
- Place melted unsalted butter and one cup of peanut butter in a large bowl. Beat together using an electric hand mixer until well combined.
- Add the powdered sugar and continue beating with the hand mixer until well combined.
- Add the graham cracker crumbs, one cup at a time, and beat well after each addition.
- Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, then secure the parchment to the pan with some clips. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan using a large ice cream scoop. Put on vinyl gloves and press the peanut butter mixture into the pan.
- Place the semi-sweet chocolate chips and ¼ cup peanut butter in a microwave-proof bowl. Microwave 30 seconds at a time, stirring well after each heating, for a total of 1 minute and 30 seconds, or until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut mixture in the pan and spread into an even layer, completely covering the peanut butter mixture.
- Remove the clips from the pan and cover it tightly with aluminum foil. Refrigerate the pan for at least two hours or until the bars are firm and the chocolate topping is set.
- After the bars are set, remove them from the pan by lifting out the parchment. Carefully remove the parchment from the bars and place them on a large cutting board, then cut it into squares. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Yield 24 servings
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