No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Most of us grew up with some version of this recipe— a super easy, homemade cousin to Reese’s peanut butter cups. These are the chocolate peanut butter bars of my childhood. They’re what I craved as a child, and what I still crave as an adult.

With just 5 ingredients, only a few minutes of prep, no baking required, and the winning combination of dark chocolate and peanut butter, this treat has just about everything going for it.

Just one bite and I’m transported back in time to when my family would each take turns “evening things out”, cutting away little (or not so little) slivers of the bars until all that was left in the fridge was an empty pan. We literally could not keep our hands off the stuff.

These bars are habit-forming, so I suggest having friends or family around to share with. You have been warned!

Now, I’m off to go sneak another square from the fridge.

get the recipe

No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Yield: 12 bars

Easy no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars made with just 5 ingredients!

Print Recipe

Ingredients:

• 8 sheets (1 sleeve) graham crackers (about 1 cup crumbs)
• 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cups (270 grams) smooth or crunchy peanut butter (see Notes)
• 2 cups (455 grams) powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 cups (255 grams) semisweet or dark chocolate chips
• Chopped peanuts, for topping (optional)
• Coarse salt, for topping (optional)

Directions:

1. Pulse the graham crackers in a food processor until they are crumbs. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer or in a large bowl with a hand-held mixer, beat together the butter and peanut butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and beat on high until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the graham crackers and mix to combine.
3. Dump contents into a greased half-sheet pan or 9x13-inch pan and press into the pan evenly, using greased fingers or a greased spatula (I actually like to use the paper wrappers from the butter, they are perfect for a job like this.)
4. In a double boiler over barely simmering water, melt the chocolate chips, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and pour on top of peanut butter mixture. Use a spatula to spread evenly. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and salt, if desired.
5. Chill in the fridge for 1-2 hours until set. Slice and serve. For best results, store in the fridge.

Notes:

• Not natural-style peanut butter will work best for these bars. You can use natural style if you'd like, but the bars will be much softer.

Note: This recipe first appeared on this site in July 2010. Photos have been updated and slight changes to wording of the recipe have been made.