No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars with Graham Cracker Crust
A creamy peanut butter and chocolate layered bar resting on a crunchy graham cracker crust, perfectly chilled for an easy no-bake treat. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 25 minutes layers graham cracker crumbs, melted unsalted butter, powdered 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 280 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 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 6 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Step 1: Line an 8x8-inch square pan with parchment paper. In a bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs and 6 tbsp melted unsalted butter. Press mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan to form the crust.
- Step 2: In another bowl, mix 1 cup creamy peanut butter with 1 cup powdered sugar until smooth and thick. Spread this peanut butter layer evenly over the graham cracker crust.
- Step 3: Heat 1/2 cup heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Remove from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Let sit 2 minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy.
- Step 4: Pour the chocolate ganache over the peanut butter layer, spreading evenly. Refrigerate the bars for at least 3 hours until firm before slicing into squares.
Frequently asked questions
How long does No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars with Graham Cracker Crust take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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 No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars with Graham Cracker Crust?
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 No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars with Graham Cracker Crust?
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 No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars with Graham Cracker Crust 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 No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars with Graham Cracker Crust?
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.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
