Fast. Foolproof. Freakishly Delicious.
Sometimes, the best treat is the one that doesn’t require an oven, a mixer, or a culinary degree. These no-bake peanut butter chocolate bars come together in 10 minutes (plus chill time), use pantry staples, and disappear faster than you’ll admit publicly.
Perfect for:
- Potlucks
- Late-night cravings
- Impressing guests who think you “made something complicated”
- Bribing your children (or co-workers)
🧈 Ingredients
For the Base:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), melted
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 2 sleeves, finely crushed)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional, but you’re classy — use it)
For the Topping:
- 1½ cups semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
🍫 Directions
Step 1: Make the Peanut Butter Base
- In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, peanut butter, and vanilla extract.
- Stir until fully combined. It should resemble thick, delicious peanut butter cookie dough. (Do not eat all of it yet.)
- Press the mixture evenly into a 9×13-inch pan lined with parchment paper or lightly greased. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to smooth the surface.
Tip: Use the flat bottom of a measuring cup to get a super smooth layer.
Step 2: Make the Chocolate Topping
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and peanut butter for the topping.
- Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth (about 1½ minutes total).
- Pour over the peanut butter base and spread evenly with a spatula.
Optional: Use a fork to swirl in a little extra peanut butter for flair. Or sprinkle with flaky sea salt for a grown-up vibe.
Step 3: Chill and Slice
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm.
- Once chilled, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment or run a knife around the edges.
- Slice into squares or bars using a sharp knife. Wipe the knife between cuts for clean lines (if you care about aesthetics).
🍽️ Storage
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Or freeze for longer and eat them straight from the freezer like a kitchen gremlin at 2 a.m. (no judgment).
🔄 Variations
- Add crunch: Stir in ½ cup chopped peanuts or Rice Krispies to the base.
- Make it gluten-free: Use GF graham crackers.
- Add drama: Top with mini pretzels, crushed toffee, or a drizzle of white chocolate.
- Make it vegan: Use vegan butter, dairy-free chocolate chips, and plant-based grahams.
🎉 Final Notes
These bars have a 5-minute prep time and a 100% approval rating from toddlers to trial lawyers. They’re rich, peanut buttery, chocolatey, and gloriously low-effort.
So if you’re looking for a treat that delivers maximum joy with minimal chaos —
this is your moment.
Grab a spoon. Claim your square. And don’t forget to hide one for later.
Brian Brijbag 