Five-Ingredient Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie Bars
Simple and chewy cookie bars combining peanut butter and chocolate chips, made with only five pantry staples and ready in under 30 minutes. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 23 minutes layers creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, large egg 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 140 calories and feeds 12, 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 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, mix 1 cup creamy peanut butter and 3/4 cup granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Step 2: Beat in 1 large egg and 1/2 tsp baking soda until fully incorporated and batter is thick.
- Step 3: Fold in 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly throughout the batter.
- Step 4: Spread the batter evenly into a greased 8x8-inch baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Step 5: Bake for 15-18 minutes until edges are set and top is lightly browned but center remains soft.
- Step 6: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing into 12 squares.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Five-Ingredient Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie Bars take to make?
Total time is about 23 minutes (5 min prep + 18 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 Five-Ingredient Peanut Butter Chocolate 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 Five-Ingredient Peanut Butter Chocolate 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 Five-Ingredient Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie 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 Peanut Butter Chocolate 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.
