No Bake Peanut Butter Squares
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No Bake Peanut Butter Squares make for a great snack or dessert. The irresistible combination of chocolate and peanut butter will have your family begging for more! And with just 5 ingredients and no baking, you’ll be happy to oblige them.
It’s no secret that I am a super fan of chocolate. But when you add in peanut butter, I can barely control myself. These no bake peanut butter bars are my kryptonite and remind me of a Reese’s cups in bar form.
We’re sharing tips to help you get the best results with this recipe. If you don’t need the tips, scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and a printable recipe card.
No-bake desserts are great for holidays and special occasions. You can make them ahead of time and they don’t take up space in the oven.
These no-bake treats are easy to make and a great option when you need a big batch for a crowd. They’re also perfect for making during the week. And this recipe is easy enough your kids can help you make them. Try my Summer Berry Icebox Cake for another simple dessert.
Ingredients for No-Bake Peanut Butter Squares
- Peanut Butter – Use your favorite brand, as long as it’s creamy.
- Chocolate Chips – This recipe calls for milk chocolate chips, but if you like dark chocolate feel free to swap it out.
- Butter – use salted butter that is melted then slightly cooled before mixing in.
- Powdered Sugar – AKA confectioners sugar, is used in the first layer of the bars.
- Graham Crackers – I buy regular graham crackers and use a blender to make the crumbs. You can also purchase graham cracker crumbs in the store now if you’re short on time.
Get the complete ingredients & directions in the recipe card below.
How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Steps 1 & 2 – Combine bar ingredients and mix until smooth.
Step 3 – Press peanut butter layer into buttered pan.
Steps 4 & 5 – Prepare frosting and spread over peanut butter layer.
Step 6 – Chill until firm.
How Can I Make The Peanut Butter Bars Thicker?
Use a square baking pan instead of the 13×9 pan.
Can the bars be frozen?
Yes! We recommend making the bars, cutting them and wrapping individually prior to freezing. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
How to Serve No Bake Squares with Peanut Butter
I cut these bars into smaller pieces because they are RICH.
I also prefer to serve the bars chilled, but they can be served at room temperature. Don’t let them get too warm or the chocolate may melt.
Tips for Making Peanut Butter Squares
- Line the pan with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- Substitute with semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips.
- For best results, use a store-bought commercial peanut butter (ie Jif or Skippy). You want to avoid using natural peanut butter with the stir-in layer of oil.
- Allow the bars to sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
- I’ve found the easiest way to cut the bars is with a plastic knife. If you don’t have one, warm a sharp knife under hot water before cutting.
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No Bake Peanut Butter Squares
Ingredients
Bar Layer
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter , melted and slightly cooled
- 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs, approximately 14-16 whole graham crackers
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Frosting
- ⅔ cup peanut butter
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare a 13×9 pan by buttering the bottom and sides.
- In a medium bowl, combine butter, peanut butter, graham cracker crumbs and powdered sugar. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Press mixture into prepared pan.
- FROSTING: In a microwave safe bowl, combine peanut butter and chocolate chips and heat for 30 seconds, stir and continue heating 10 seconds at a time until the chips are almost melted. Stir until completely smooth.
- Spread frosting evenly over peanut butter bar mixture. An offset spatula works great for this.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or until firm.
- Remove from the refrigerator and let sit for 15 minutes before cutting.
- Store in refrigerator in airtight container for up to 1 week.
Notes
- You can substitute semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips for the milk chocolate chips.
- For best results, use a commercial peanut butter rather than a natural version with an oil layer on top.
- Use a square pan for thicker bars.
Nutritional Estimate
Nutritional information is provided as a reference, using an online calculator. We recommend verifying the information independently for accuracy.
