If there is a combination that can't be beat, it's chocolate and peanut butter. These chocolate peanut butter bars are fluffy, rich and so so delicious.
What are chocolate peanut butter bars?
These bars have a chocolate graham cracker base, a peanut butter cream cheese filling, and are topped with a smooth layer of chocolate. They are UNREAL.
What ingredients do I need?
For the base, you will need:
- Unsalted butter
- Chocolate graham cracker crumbs
For the filling, you will need:
- Cream cheese
- Peanut butter
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
For the chocolate layer, you will need:
- Good quality chocolate, I like Ghirardelli's semi-sweet chocolate bars.
- Vegetable oil, or any other neutral oil
Method
I cannot even begin to express how easy it is to prepare these chocolate peanut butter bars. First, we will make the base, combine the chocolate graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until well combined. The mixture will be sandy - press into the bottom of your pan. Pre-bake the crust for 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Once finished, let cool at room temperature for five minutes and then place in the refrigerator or freezer for 20-30 minutes.
Next, we will make the filling. In a bowl, beat together the cream cheese alone until soft and creamy, about two minutes. Add the peanut butter and mix until combined. Add the powdered sugar and mix until well incorporated, then add the vanilla extract and mix. Spread this filling evenly on the base and put in the refrigerator for an hour or the freezer for 30 minutes.
Once the filling is firm, we will make the chocolate top. On the stove top or in the microwave in 30 second increments, melt together the chocolate and oil until smooth and combined. The oil is necessary as it helps the chocolate achieve that smooth and glossy look. Spread the chocolate evenly over the peanut butter cream cheese filling and place back in the fridge/freezer until the chocolate has set.
To make smooth cuts, run hot water over the knife for a couple of seconds, wipe dry, then begin to cut into the bars. Wipe the knife clean and repeat the water in between cuts. Store in the fridge or freeze. Enjoy, babes!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Ingredients
Base
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 2 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs
Filling
- 16 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Chocolate Layer
- 8 oz good quality chocolate
- 4 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line an 8x8 or 9x9 inch pan with parchment paper.
- Combine the chocolate graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until well combined. The mixture will be sandy - press into the bottom of your pan.
- Pre-bake the crust for 10 minutes. Once finished, let cool at room temperature for five minutes and then place in the refrigerator or freezer for 20-30 minutes.
- In a bowl, beat together the cream cheese alone until soft and creamy, about two minutes. Add the peanut butter and mix until combined. Add the powdered sugar and mix until well incorporated, then add the vanilla extract and mix until combined. Spread this filling evenly on the base and put in the refrigerator for an hour or the freezer for 30 minutes.
- On the stove top or in the microwave in 30 second increments, melt together the chocolate and oil until smooth and combined. The oil is necessary as it helps the chocolate achieve that smooth and glossy look.
- Spread the chocolate evenly over the peanut butter cream cheese filling and place back in the fridge/freezer until the chocolate has set.
- To make smooth cuts, run hot water over the knife for a couple of seconds, wipe dry, then begin to cut into the bars. Wipe the knife clean and repeat the water in between cuts. Store in the fridge or freezer. Enjoy!
If you're obsessed with bars like me, definitely check out my S’mores Bars (No Bake) and Key Lime Pie Bars.
Lauren
chef's kiss. the perfect flavor combination! I used dark chocolate for my chocolate layer and it worked perfectly. I've never melted chocolate in vegetable oil so I was nervous to try something new but it worked great!
Jess Italiano
Awe yay! Thanks for trying!