Peanut Butter Cup Bars
Exactly 9 days post-New Year’s my aforementioned aversion to sweets disappeared like a puff of smoke. The holiday sugar cloud has lifted and I am ready to dive into butter, chocolate, sugar and, of course… peanut butter! These peanut butter cup bars are nothing new to the blogosphere, but I am thrilled to finally have them back in my kitchen. I had my first encounter with these bars waaaaaay back in college. I was at a cookout/bonfire and a girl brought a pan of these. I’ve been a peanut butter fanatic pretty much since I uttered my first words, so needless to say I fell in love with these immediately. As soon as I wiped the peanut butter and chocolate crumbs off my mouth, I asked for the recipe. I got it, and then promptly lost it before I ever got a chance to make them. I have lived without these for way too many years, so I must make amends. And share with you of course.
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I was the kid on Halloween that dug through the candy to get to the Reese’s peanut butter cups. They were gold. On Easter, I was always thrilled when the bunny left a Reese’s peanut butter egg or, as I got older and more appreciative of good sweets, a Sarris peanut butter meltaway egg. So imagine how insanely excited I am that these taste just like a giant peanut butter cup. I could get even more authentic with a thicker layer of chocolate, or actually encasing a cup-shaped version in chocolate, but this recipe is super easy and darn-near perfect. If it ain’t broke…
Three years ago: Hidden Berry Cream Cheese Torte
Peanut Butter Cup Bars
Ingredients
- ½ cup (113.5 g) unsalted butter
- 1¾ cups (210 g) powdered sugar
- 1 cup (258 g) smooth peanut butter
- ¾ cup (63 g) graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup (56.75 g) unsalted butter
- ½ cup (90 g) milk chocolate chips, or chopped chocolate
Instructions
- 1. Line an 8x8-inch square pan with foil, leaving enough to hang over the sides, then butter the foil. Set aside.
- 2. In a medium saucepan, melt the ½ cup of butter over low heat. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in the powdered sugar until smooth. Stir in the peanut butter and graham cracker crumbs until completely combined and smooth. Spread the peanut butter mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- 3. In the now-empty saucepan, melt the ¼ cup unsalted butter. Add the chocolate and stir until almost completely melted. Remove from heat and continue stirring until completely melted. Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer and smooth into an even layer.
- 4. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to set. Remove from the pan using the foil overhangs and place on a cutting board. Use a pizza cutter to slice into 16 bars. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
These were amazing! Even my husband, who usually doesn’t like sweets, ate ’em up. I added colored sprinkles to the top to make them cuter, and brought them to work. I think they lasted about 5 minutes. Thanks for the great, easy recipe!
I’m making these for the second time in two weeks today, as they were such a hit last time. I’m going to try starting with a layer of chocolate to make them even more like peanut butter cups (my boyfriend’s favorite). I’ll let you know how it goes! :)
My husband also suggested adding a layer of chocolate on the bottom. How did this work out?
Made these last night, yum! I was looking for a recipe similar to one they used to give out in public schools when I was a kid (I’m 28 now), I’ve been searching for years and this ain’t it, the flavor just isn’t the same. Must’ve been the government peanut butter they used :)
I think also next time I’ll omit the butter in the chocolate portion, it made it kind of fudgy, and the ones I remember had a hard chocolate topping on them. Very yummy otherwise!
These aren’t even fair! It’s only 9am but now I’m craving chocolate and peanut butter. Yum.
I think these require an NC-17 rating. I just made them and I don’t know how I’m going to have them in the house without some kind of adult supervision . . .
Made these for a church pot-luck. Needless to say, there were no leftovers and people were stalking me to find out how I made them. Great recipe, thanks for sharing!!!
This is my all time fave dessert!!!
I thought I’m the only one that throw the resolution our of the window :))
Love peanut-butter and chocolate combo and love your bars. They look so good.
Thanks for sharing Michelle.
I’ve sent you a friend request on FoodBuzz, hope you’ll accept it.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Roxana
WOW!!!! How on earth have I not heard of these before?!?!?! I feel as if my whole life has been a lie and I’ve been deprived, and I didn’t even know it til just now!!! ;-) I am so making these ASAP!!! Thanks for sharing!
Yum, yum and yum! I NEED to make these this weekend.
These look amazing! I cannot wait to try and make these, my husband is going to love it!
Congratulations on your Top 9 today!
I am a peanut butter addict and we are TRYING these.
My daughter is in love with peanut butter cups (or any other form). She will *love* these! :)
My mother taught me how to make these at least 35 years ago.
Congratulations on making it to the Top 9 on Foodbuzz!
These Peanut Butter Cup Bars look to die for!
So delicious! Made them today for the kids…so easy and yummy! I am thinking next time of adding a layer of pretzels and caramel (okay so homemade caramel blows the whole easy part, but I think it may be worth it). Thank you for sharing!!
Holy WOW!!! And YUM!!!! These really do look amazing. I better hide this recipe from my hubby and quickly;)
Take care,
Terra
WOW these look amazing!!! I too am a peanut butter cup fanatic, thanks for sharing!
These look delicious.. if only there was a way I could eat right off the internet!
I feel the same way about peanut butter. My kids are still wondering who ate all the Reeses from their Halloween candy stack:)
Ok, I made these and just have to say “Thanks!” I am going to have to give you a big shout out on my blog tomorrow!!! (and Thanks from two other little fans too!!!) Don’t just think about making these, YOU SO MUST MAKE THESE!
oops, I meant on Saturday I will be sharing along with two little fans!!! I am already thinking it is Friday!
I am not too much of a chocolate fan with chocolate just by itself, but when paired with peanut butter–heaven!
I love peanut butter AND chocolate and believe there is no better combination. I’m glad you are back into sweets :) Although your savory recipes werent too shabby either ;)
I love peanut butter, so these are really up my alley, and they look so yummy!
I’m bookmarking these!
Mmmm, these have my name written all over them!
I didn’t like Reese’s when I was little…my love began when I got to college! :)
Peanut butter and chocolate – there is no better combination. These look like a dessert I had a long time ago and always wanted the recipe for. Thank you for starting my new year off right with this recipe!
This is right up my alley! Looks great! I am making these for sure!
Those look heavenly!
Omg, peanut butter lovers unite! <33 These look and sound simply amazing!!
Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to dig myself out of this snow so I can buy some more pb!! :D