Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
These chewy peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bars feature glossy, slightly cracked edges with a tender, chewy middle, combining the richness of peanut butter with bursts of semi-sweet chocolate chips for a perfect homemade treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (240g) creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups (160g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups (270g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Optional: Flaky sea salt for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened butter, 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 cup light brown sugar, and 1/2 cup granulated sugar together until creamy and smooth, about 3-4 minutes with a mixer on medium speed.
- Add 2 large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Fold in 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly.
- Transfer the dough to the prepared pan, pressing it evenly into the corners and smoothing the top.
- Optionally, sprinkle flaky sea salt on top to enhance flavor.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, checking at 20 minutes. The edges should be golden and set, and the center should look just set but still soft.
- Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Use softened butter for best texture. Avoid overmixing after adding flour to keep bars tender. Start checking bars at 20 minutes to prevent overbaking. Cooling completely before slicing ensures clean cuts. For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with coconut oil and use dairy-free chocolate chips. Chilling dough for 15 minutes before baking helps prevent spreading in warm kitchens.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (assuming 16 b
- Calories: 220
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Protein: 5
Keywords: peanut butter, chocolate chip, cookie bars, chewy, easy recipe, homemade treats, dessert bars