These cookie bars are packed full of flavor. Chocolate chips on a peanut butter base – it’s the perfect peanut buttery chocolatey chip combination. And they are a big hit with kids of all ages!
Jump to Recipe
Inside: Get the recipe for Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars and a tip on how to add icing to a baggie for piping/drizzling.
The other night Megan and I were talking about various recipes that are up on the blog. She thought to ask me if the peanut butter chocolate chip bars were up. When I told her no, she was surprised and asked why not.
And that was a really good question!
I mean after all, these bars have been a pretty big part of her brother’s and her life – they grew eating them. And that alone can only mean that we loved them enough to make them – repeatedly – for years!
These bars… I don’t even know where to start! A batch of these cookie bars does not last long around these parts.
And they are so easy to make. You’re basically whipping up a batch of peanut butter dough (with a bit of oats added), topping it with loads of chocolate chips, and then drizzling a peanut butter icing over top.
What’s in Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars?
- Butter (softened)
- Sugar
- Brown sugar
- Peanut butter (creamy)
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Oats
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Chocolate chips
Icing ingredients:
- Confectioners sugar
- Creamy peanut butter
- Milk
These ingredients come together and make delicious bars from scratch. The bars are easy to make in 40 minutes or less.
How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars and Icing
In a mixing bowl, cream softened butter, both sugars, and peanut butter. Add egg and vanilla then mix well. Stir flour, oats, baking soda, and salt into the creamed mixture.
Spread the batter into a greased 13×9 baking dish and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake the peanut butter chocolate chip bars for 20-25 minutes or until they are lightly browned.
Cool 10 minutes. While cookie bars are cooling, combine icing ingredients. Drizzle over bars.
Tip for Making Peanut Butter Icing
Megan taught me this trick. Before mixing your icing, put a baggie in a wide-mouth mason jar. The jar will support the bag in an open position so that you can easily add the mixed icing into the baggie.
After you’ve added the icing, remove the baggie and snip one of the bottom corners with a pair of scissors. You are now ready to pipe/drizzle it onto the peanut butter chocolate chip bars.
Megan piped the icing back and forth in a catty-corner pattern. You get uniform coverage by doing it this way. And it looks pretty too!
There’s no right or wrong way to drizzle the icing onto the peanut butter chocolate chip bars. You can go with a pattern or just let it fly in all directions. I’ve done both – depending on my mood that day.
As you can see, the chocolate chips get a little melty but pretty much hold their shape during the baking process. That, along with the icing, adds an element of texture to the cookie bars that add to their presentation.
These bars are super moist and loaded with so much flavor. And seriously – who doesn’t love the combination of peanut butter and chocolate? I can’t think of one soul that I know.
Can I Use Another Kind of Chips
You sure can! Peanut butter chips are the first that come to mind, but you could try other kinds as well. Butterscotch chips may lend an interesting flavor. Let me know if you try that one! ;) I use these vegan chocolate chips.
Let’s Talk Peanut Butter
I use Peter Pan peanut butter to make these peanut butter chocolate chip bars. I’m really not sure a natural peanut butter will work since it’s not as firm as other kinds.
Can I Make This Ahead of Time?
Yes! Prep the dough the day before and press it into a baking dish the next day. It may be easier to do this if you allow it to come to room temperature. Continue with recipe instructions from this point.
Can I Freeze the Dough?
You sure can! Freeze the dough for up to 3 months in a tightly sealed container or freezer bag. Allow it to thaw, then press into pan and continue with recipe directions.
My picks for baking and serving these bars:
More Delicious Bars to Love
It’s crazy I’ve overlooked putting the bars up for so long. Especially since we make them fairly often. They are a true favorite around here, and I bet they’ll quickly become a favorite to make in your kitchen too.
The Recipe
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup oats quick-cooking
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips semisweet
Icing:
- 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
- 2 tbsp peanut butter creamy
- 2 tbsp milk
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, cream softened butter, both sugars, and peanut butter.
- Add egg and vanilla then mix well.
- Stir flour, oats, baking soda, and salt into the creamed mixture.
- Spread batter into a greased 13×9 baking dish and sprinkle with chocolate chips.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.
Icing:
- While bars are baking, whisk together icing ingredients and set aside. After bars are baked and have cooled for 10 minutes, pipe/drizzle icing onto bars
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutritional values (per serving) are approximates only and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
© SERVING UP SOUTHERN. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any blog post or social media is strictly prohibited.
I created a custom pin just for this post! Share the love! :)
How much peanut butter in the base recipe?