No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

29 Replies

It sure has been hot the last few weeks, and who feels like baking when it’s so hot? So I have been looking up recipes that don’t require much, if any, baking. I came across this recipe at Southern Plate, and couldn’t resist trying it out! If you are a peanut-butter-and-chocolate lover and if you like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, you will definitely want to try these out! They’re really good and super-easy to make, and this recipe makes a nice big batch in a 9 x 13″ pan. You can use semi-sweet, dark, or milk chocolate chips in this recipe…they all taste great!

NO BAKE CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BARS slightly adapted from Southern Plate

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar (I used light brown sugar, but you can use dark)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups creamy peanut butter
2 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
2 cups dark chocolate chips (or substitute semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips)

The original recipe does not say to do this, but I went ahead and greased a 9 x 13″ pan with some butter, just because I had never made anything like this and wasn’t sure if these bars would be sticking to the pan. I’m happy to say that I had no sticking problems! They may come out fine without greasing the pan, too.

Place all ingredients, except the chocolate chips, in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until butter and peanut butter are melted, about 1 to 2 minutes (it usually takes about a minute, but check it after 45 seconds, since microwaves vary).

Remove from microwave and use a large spoon to stir all the ingredients together until they form a ball of dough that leaves the side of the bowl. Pat peanut butter mixture into a 9 x 13″ pan.

Pour chocolate chips into another microwave-safe bowl and microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring after each time, until completely melted. Spoon melted chocolate over the top of the peanut butter mixture and spread evenly.

Allow to cool completely at room temperature until chocolate hardens or place in the refrigerator for about a half hour to harden more quickly (if you make these on a hot and humid day like I did, you’ll definitely need to let them harden in the refrigerator!). Cut into bars or squares, as large or small as you want, and serve!

If you have leftovers and you’ve made these on a hot, humid summer day, I recommend storing them in the fridge!

Linked to Strut Your Stuff, Cast Party Wednesday, Foodie Friday, Sweet Tooth Friday, Sweets for a Saturday, Sunday Showcase, Creative Bloggers’ Party & Hop, These Chicks Cooked.

29 thoughts on “No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars”

Maris(In Good Taste) June 12, 2011 at 5:26

These look so good! I love that they are no bake!

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Jenna @ Newlyweds June 13, 2011 at 2:38

Oh yum, I love quick easy recipes like these. My two loves chocolate and PB.

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1. nancyc Post authorJune 13, 2011 at 8:13
  
  I’m a big fan of PB and chocolate, too! 🙂
  
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Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide June 13, 2011 at 9:41

I’ve been so focused on cool main courses, I hadn’t given dessert much thought. What a great recipe.

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Malory June 15, 2011 at 8:51

Oh no…I just drooled all over the keyboard. Yes please! These look divine. Thanks for sharing!

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Sheryl June 15, 2011 at 8:58

I saw this over at Somewhat Simple. I am a BIG fan of peanut butter and chocolate. Then you throw in that it’s a NO BAKE? YAY!
I’m hosting my first link party today Cast Party Wednesday and would love it if you came over and shared this recipe with us. http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/
Thanks,
I hope to see you there!

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1. nancyc Post authorJune 16, 2011 at 6:53
  
  Thanks for letting me know about your party, Sheryl! I linked up the recipe!
  
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Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking June 16, 2011 at 10:35

2 of my fave things – I must try!

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Annette June 17, 2011 at 8:25

It doesn’t get much simpler than that! This will go on my ‘must try’ list for the summer!

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Allison @ Alli 'n Son June 17, 2011 at 2:17

I have a very similar recipe from my mom. It’s one of my all time favorites.

I hope you’ll stop by and share your recipe with Sweet Tooth Friday! http://alli-n-son.com/2011/06/16/midnight-craving-cupcakes/

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1. nancyc Post authorJune 17, 2011 at 6:30
  
  I’m a little late, but I linked it up, Allison! 🙂
  
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Erin @ Making Memories June 17, 2011 at 10:42

Oh how I wish I had some of these right now. They look fantastic!

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jahuston June 18, 2011 at 1:39

These look so good. This is another recipe on my every growing try list.

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1. nancyc Post authorJune 18, 2011 at 5:11
  
  My “to try” list keeps growing, too…I was hoping it would get smaller as I keep trying new recipes, but I keep on finding more and more things I want to try! 🙂
  
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Lovely Light June 19, 2011 at 6:42

Hi there- found you through one of the hops and am a new follower. This sounds so yummy! I have to make my own peanut putter treats because they don’t make them where we live (they sell peanut butter though!). I hope you have time to follow my life in South Africa by http://withoutcomplexities.blogspot.com

Have a great weekend!

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1. nancyc Post authorJune 19, 2011 at 9:21
  
  Thank you for visiting and following! I’m on my way over to your blog! 🙂
  
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Sanghamitra Bhattacherjee June 20, 2011 at 5:17

Oh!..it looks so yummy! Nice recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Hope to see you on my blog:)

Sanghamitra.

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Hannah June 20, 2011 at 5:33

I’ve been meaning to try this recipe forever. Yours look great!!!

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Sheryl June 21, 2011 at 3:27

Thanks for sharing this yummy recipe with us. I hope you will come over tomorrow and share more of your delicious recipes with us at Cast Party Wednesday. http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com
I hope to see you there!

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Lisa @ Sweet as Sugar Cookies June 24, 2011 at 10:22

Mmm, I’m a big Reeses’s PB Cups lover. Sounds like my kind of dessert. You got the Top #1 spot for last week’s Sweets for a Saturday. Congrats!!!

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1. nancyc Post authorJune 24, 2011 at 10:33
  
  Wow–that’s great! Thanks for letting me know, Lisa! 🙂
  
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Rocquie June 27, 2011 at 11:15

I’m visiting via “Sweet as Sugar Cookies”. Those bars look amazing! I just printed the recipe and will be making them for my husband, who has the sweet tooth of the family and loves peanut butter and chocolate.

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1. nancyc Post authorJune 27, 2011 at 1:27
  
  I’m sure your husband will love them if he loves peanut butter and chocolate! 🙂
  
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Beth February 21, 2012 at 8:27

I have made these twice now, and they’re scrumptious!

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1. nancyc Post authorFebruary 21, 2012 at 9:11
  
  I’m glad you like them, Beth! I find them hard to resist myself! 🙂
  
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Ronda Roxbury March 2, 2012 at 9:47

This is a similar recipe to what we call Hollywood Squares….. for a touch of more great peanut butter…I melt some peanut butter in with the chocolate chips…I use the whole bag and about 1/4 cup of peanut butter…my recipe calls for 2-3 table spoons of peanut butter… but I love peanut butter…I use 1/4 cup.

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1. nancyc Post authorMarch 2, 2012 at 10:15
  
  That sounds really good, Ronda! Thanks for sharing!
  
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Sheila June 9, 2012 at 5:00

I’ve made these for years at Christmas! They sre requested every year and come out great every time!!

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1. nancyc Post authorJune 9, 2012 at 5:07
  
  I love these, too–one of my favorite recipes, and so easy to make!
  
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