An easy way to enjoy cookies without all the work is to make them into bars. These Peanut Butter Nutella Cookie Bars are an amazing mixture of flavors in one easy to hold treat.
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Have you ever noticed that when you are watching what you are eating, the bad food seems to jump out even more.
Literally the other day I opened the cupboard and a bag of Reese’s Pieces fell out right in front of me. Then I tried to reach in the cupboard behind everything, and the peanut butter jar fell out too. Now it could be because I keep trying to shove more baking supplies into a 1 foot by 3 foot cabinet with only 3 small shelves.
OR it is karma for trying to resist the sweets all week long.
With spring and summer coming at us at an alarming rate, I have definitely stepped up my exercise routine. Booyah for finishing 6 days last week. We will just not talk about the slice of coconut fudge pie the other day and the three peanut butter cup cookies from yesterday.
Although, seriously we have been eating very healthy around here. All the salads, roasted veggies, and grilled chicken all has been delicious. Did I really just type that? Me..the sugar fiend..likes veggies. It’s true. I prefer veggies over meat any day.
Of course, I really prefer brownies and cookies over everything, but that’s why all the exercise is necessary.
Back to the falling baking supplies…
I’m pretty sure it is just because I have upped my workouts this week. The sweets in my house are revolting against this new found exercise high. Apparently the baking supplies want equal time with me. So be it.
That jar of peanut butter and those Reese’ Pieces joined forces with some white chocolate and Nutella to make one fantabulous bar cookie.
This cookie batter gets spread in a greased baking sheet, and more candy is added to the top. It just makes the bars look prettier that way.
Warm Nutella drizzled over the top of these easy peanut butter Nutella cookie bars made them look so pretty.
The dough is too thick to swirl it in, so I left it on top of the dough. It made them so much prettier that way.
After the bars come out of the oven, do not touch them. Let them set up. The Nutella especially needs time to set back up. It really will stay pretty soft even after cooling. You will be able to store them on top of each other, but I recommend putting wax paper between the layers. That is if you have any left to store for later.
Now I want to go open the cupboard again and see what else falls out in front of me. It was kind of fun seeing what I could come up without a plan. What would you make if you had Reese’s Pieces and peanut butter in front of you?
More delicious recipes to use up that jar of Nutella in your cupboard:
- Nutella Pecan Pie Bars from Country Cleaver
- Nutella Stuffed Browned Butter Blondies from The Food Charlatan
- Nutella Crunch Ice Cream Cake from A Family Feast
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An easy way to enjoy cookies without all the work is to make them into bars. These Peanut Butter Nutella Cookie Bars are an amazing mixture of flavors in one easy to hold treat.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup Reese's Pieces candies, divided
- 1/4 cup Nutella spread
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 11x17 cookie sheet with sides with nonstick spray.
- Beat the butter, peanut butter, and sugars until creamy.
- Add the eggs and vanilla and beat again.
- Stir together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add to the creamed mixture until thoroughly combined.
- Stir in the white chocolate chips and 3/4 cup Reese's Pieces gently.
- Spread the cookie dough into the prepared cookie sheet. Press the extra Reese's candies into the top of the dough.
- Place the Nutella in microwave safe bowl and heat 15 - 20 seconds. Stir and spoon into a plastic baggie with one corner cut off.
- Drizzle the Nutella over the top of the dough in a grid pattern. Bake for 11-12 minutes. Do not over bake.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely before cutting. Cut into 32 small cookie bars. Store in a sealed container in a single row. If you stack the bars, place wax paper between the rows.
Chelsea @ Gal on a Mission says
I have been trying to eat healthier as well – boy, does it get hard sometimes! Lovin’ these cookie bars.. so cute and creative. Yummy. 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Chelsea! 🙂
[email protected] says
Oooh I love these bars!!! EVERY SINGLE thing about them screams yum.
Lavender says
Those bars look absolutely delicious! I can’t wait to try the recipe!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Lavender! 🙂
Kelly says
These bars look incredible Jocelyn! Peanut butter and nutella in one cookie bar? You’ve totally stolen my heart with these sweet lady – love them! Pinning 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thank you Kelly!! 🙂
Kayla says
These look soo good! Peanut butter and nutella are always classic combinations!
Emily @ Life on Food says
I have been craving peanut butter like mad. With chocolate even better. I blame the good eating all week. Now on the weekends all I want is sweets. These bars fit the bill perfectly.
kentuckylady717 says
These do look good….you are trying to get us all FAT 🙂 I am a sucker for sweets…..I’d rather have
a Hershey bar than a steak :)……….hmmmmmmmmmmmm think I will go get one out of the cupboard….I just bought (4) of the large of Hershey bars a couple of wks ago, they were on sale for .49 each…. and still have 2 left 🙂
Do you think the Hershey spread would work in the peanut butter bars ? I had a dollar off on one
the other day and purchased it instead of the Nutella…..
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I’m totally with you on choosing a chocolate bar over a steak! I think the Hershey spread would work just fine in place of the Nutella.
Happy Valley Chow says
I looovveee cookie bars like that, they are always sooo moist, gooey and delicious. Great recipe 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
I just can’t handle all the goodness in these bars!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Hanks Julianne! 🙂
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
You hit the nail on the head, Jocelyn – sometimes when I’m too lazy to shape cookies (I know, that’s pretty darn lazy!) but still want to eat them, I’ll make bars instead. You put everything delicious and glorious in the world (peanut butter and Nutella!) inside your bars. These look amazing!
Chloe @ foodlikecake says
These sound amazing! I love peanut butter and nutella together, and bar cookies 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Chloe! 🙂
Marcie says
These look so luscious, Jocelyn! That Nutella topping is more than I can stand. 🙂
Amanda says
Love this so much. The Nutella stripes on top are awesome 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Amanda! 🙂
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
Those reese’s pieces were definitely trying to tell you something! Oh my goodness, I want these so bad right now! I’m a huge fan of reese’s pieces (well, when my wife let’s me eat them, haha)!!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
Love everything about these cookie bars! I would gladly take some of those off your hands for you! 😉
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Jessica! 😉
Lindsay @ Life, Love and Sugar says
Peanut butter and Nutella are an awesome combo! And I’m so jealous of your workout routine. I haven’t been able to get back into it and need to badly or it will not be pretty in Miami 🙂
Kathi @ Deliciously Yum! says
Love, love, love these bars. The drizzled Nutella definitely sets it over the top for me. Yummo!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Kathi! 🙂
Julie says
I wish the jar of Nutella in my pantry weren’t nearly empty, or I’d be making these right this instant!
Nancy [email protected] says
Oh my goodness! This has my name written all over! Love it that my hubby doesn’t do peanut butter because then I can have it all for myself!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Haha, isn’t it great when it works out like that? 😉
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
These bars look incredible Jocelyn! So moist and perfect! And you know I’m loving the Reese’s 🙂 Pinned!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Trish! 🙂
Chels R. says
Those look delish! Yesterday was the first day in over a month that I worked out and it felt so so good! I can’t wait to get back at it again later today! But I firmly believe in not depriving yourself and I generally don’t beat myself up for my weekend indulgences as long as I watching what I ear during the week.
Christin Stoufflet says
These have two of my husbands fav things! Will definitely be on my baking list.
Morgan says
These look absolutely amazing. I love to bake and these are a definite. Can’t wait to try them. Thank you for all the amazing recipes.