Classic Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Soft and chewy peanut butter cookie bars studded with semi-sweet chocolate chips, perfect for sharing or as a quick treat. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 40 minutes layers softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, packed brown sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 16, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup, softened unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup, packed brown sugar
- 3/4 cup, creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, and 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter using an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Beat in 1 large egg and 1 tsp vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Step 6: Fold in 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly throughout the batter.
- Step 7: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Step 8: Bake for 22-25 minutes until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Step 9: Allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting out using the parchment paper and cutting into bars.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Classic Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Classic Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Classic Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Classic Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 16 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 16). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Classic Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
