Description
Peanut Butter Cookie Bars are a rich, chewy, and irresistibly sweet treat combining the classic flavor of peanut butter with a moist, tender texture. This easy-to-make recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and comes together quickly, perfect for beginners and cookie lovers alike. Enjoy these versatile bars as a cozy snack, party dessert, or customizable treat with various mix-in options for added flavor and texture.
Ingredients
																
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			Main Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking pan or line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of your bars once baked.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the peanut butter and both sugars until smooth and creamy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually stir this dry mixture into the wet ingredients, folding gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Bake: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs remaining.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the baked Peanut Butter Cookie Bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, slice into squares or bars of your preferred size for serving.
Notes
- Choose natural or processed peanut butter depending on preferred flavor and texture.
- Measure flour carefully by spooning and leveling or weighing to avoid dry bars.
- Remove bars from the oven when a toothpick shows moist crumbs for perfect chewiness.
- Use room temperature eggs for smoother blending and consistent texture.
- Fold in any optional mix-ins, such as chocolate chips or nuts, gently right before baking to maintain even distribution.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (assuming 15 bars per batch)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: Peanut Butter Cookie Bars, Chewy Cookies, Easy Peanut Butter Dessert, Quick Baked Bars, Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Bars
