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Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
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Deliciously chewy and rich Peanut Butter Cookie Bars made with simple pantry ingredients. Perfect as a snack or dessert, these bars combine the classic peanut butter flavor with a soft texture and customizable add-ins like chocolate chips or nuts. Easy to prepare and bake, they satisfy your sweet cravings anytime.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup peanut butter (natural preferred)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Mix-Ins

  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk)
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts (peanuts, almonds, or walnuts)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter, brown sugar, and eggs. Stir vigorously until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy, ensuring a uniform base for your bars.
  3. Add Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined to prevent overmixing which can toughen the bars.
  4. Optional Mix-Ins: If using chocolate chips, nuts, or other variations, gently fold them into the batter at this stage for even distribution.
  5. Bake and Cool: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center still looks slightly soft. Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting to retain the perfect chewy texture.

Notes

  • Use natural peanut butter to enhance peanut flavor and reduce excess sugar.
  • Do not overbake to keep the bars moist and chewy rather than dry and crumbly.
  • Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can intensify flavors.
  • Measure flour by spooning and leveling to avoid dense bars.
  • Use room temperature eggs for a smoother batter.

Nutrition

Keywords: peanut butter bars, cookie bars, chewy peanut butter dessert, easy peanut butter recipe, snack bars

Find it online: https://mealsbylina.com/peanut-butter-cookie-bars/