Five-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Simple and chewy peanut butter cookie bars made with just five pantry staples, perfect for a fuss-free sweet treat. 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 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.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 18 min Serves 16 American cuisine 140 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir with a wooden spoon until a thick, sticky dough forms.
  3. Step 3: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
  4. Step 4: Bake for 15-18 minutes until the edges are golden and the center is set but still soft.
  5. Step 5: Allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting out and cutting into bars.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Five-Ingredient Peanut Butter 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 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 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 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 Five-Ingredient Peanut Butter 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.

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