Five-Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Rich and chewy bars combining the classic flavors of chocolate and peanut butter, made with only five pantry staples and ready in under an hour. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 25 minutes pairs creamy peanut butter, unsalted butter, powdered sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 12, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Step 1: Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Step 2: In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt 1 cup creamy peanut butter and 1/2 cup unsalted butter together, stirring frequently until smooth.
- Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups powdered sugar and 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs until fully combined and thick.
- Step 4: Press the peanut butter mixture evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Step 5: In a microwave-safe bowl, heat 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until melted and smooth.
- Step 6: Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer and spread evenly.
- Step 7: Refrigerate the bars for at least 1 hour until firm before cutting into squares.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Five-Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Five-Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep creamy peanut butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Five-Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter 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 Five-Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). 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 Five-Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter 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.
