Our Peanut Butter Cookie Bars are an easy treat! Soft and chewy, they’re loaded with Reese's Pieces and baking chips for the ultimate sweet snack. Plus, they’re simple to make – just mix, spread, and bake! It doesn't get any easier than that.
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What Make Peanut Butter Bars
We make these peanut butter cookies all the time. The sweet and salty flavor makes them a fan favorite. But some days I don't want to spend time scooping and baking multiple batches of cookies.
That's when I make a pan of peanut butter cookie bars instead. You are going to love how easy it is to mix the dough and bake it one pan. They are ready from start to finish in around 30 minutes.
These cookie bars have the best peanut butter flavor and are loaded with the Reese's Pieces and baking chips. The satisfying crunch and texture will have you coming back for more.
- No chill time needed. You can bake the bars as soon as you make the dough.
- Soft and crunchy. The crunchiness of the candy shell and the softness of the cookie is so irresistible.
- Loaded with flavor. Plenty of peanut butter, candies, and baking chips means each square has lots of goodness.
- Great last minute treat. The dough comes together in minutes, so you can have a pan ready in under 30 minutes.
If you love peanut butter and Reese's candies, you need to make a pan of these peanut butter bars right away!
Key Ingredients
To make peanut butter bars with Reese's Pieces, you'll need a few simple ingredients and some basic kitchen tools.
- Unsalted Butter - Set it out ahead of time, so it mixes in better. If using salted butter, reduce the amount of salt by ¼ teaspoon.
- Peanut Butter - Our favorite peanut butter to use in recipes is creamy JIF. Feel free to use your favorite brand, but I do not recommend a natural or oily brand. If you like nuts, use crunchy instead.
- Sugar - A mixture of granulated sugar and brown sugar sweetens the dough and keeps them soft.
- Cornstarch - Adding just a little to cookie dough helps them to bake soft and chewy and to stay soft longer.
- Baking Soda - Helps the cookie dough spread in the pan and brown as it bakes
- Mix-Ins - A mixture of Reese's Pieces, white chocolate chips, and peanut butter chips gives the bars a blast of peanut butter flavor.
How to Make Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
This peanut butter cookie bars recipe comes together in minutes. The best part is there is no chilling, so you can bake the dough right away.
- Make the wet ingredients. Beat the room temperature butter, peanut butter, and sugars in a large bowl until light and creamy. Add the vanilla extract and eggs and mix again.
- Add the dry ingredients. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in your mix-ins. Gently stir in the Reese's Pieces, white chocolate chips, and peanut butter chips.
- Bake and cool. Press the batter into a greased or lined baking sheet, smoothing it out into an even layer. Bake until the edges are lightly golden brown and the center is set. Let cool completely before cutting into squares and serving.
Storage Recommendations
On the Counter - Keep these bars in an air tight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
In the Freezer - Wrap the cooled cookies in plastic wrap and place in a freezer safe bag or container. Freeze for 1-2 months. Thaw on the counter for 15 minutes before serving.
Tips and Tricks
By following these easy tips, you'll be able to create the best peanut butter bars with Reese's Pieces possible.
- Do not over mix the dough. Over mixing can cause your bars to come out tough and dry. Mix just until the ingredients are combined and then stop.
- Use a lined baking dish. Lining your dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil makes it easier to remove the bars from the baking pan and helps to prevent sticking.
- Experiment with mix ins. Don't be afraid to switch up the candies and add your own twist to the recipe. Try using M&M's, chopped nuts, or toffee bits for a unique flavor profile.
- Let them cool completely. It's important to let the bars cool completely before cutting them. If you try to cut them while they're still warm, they will fall apart.
- Add frosting. Frost the cookie bars with dark chocolate frosting or peanut butter frosting.
FAQs
Most of the time cookie bars are crumbly because of too much flour or from being over baked. Make sure you are measuring your flour properly and do not bake them too long.
I recommend using a creamy no stir peanut butter for these cookie bars. Natural peanut butter tends to separate, so it might not mix together as well in the dough.
Cookie bars are done when the edges are light golden brown and the center looks set. They should still jiggle just slightly when removed, but they will set up as they cool.
More Peanut Butter Desserts
- Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
- Peanut Butter Ice Cream
- Reese's Peanut Butter Cookies
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
- Peanut Butter Balls
- Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies
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Recipe
Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
Our Peanut Butter Cookie Bars are an easy treat! Soft and chewy, they’re loaded with Reese's Pieces and baking chips for the ultimate sweet snack. Plus, they’re simple to make – just mix, spread, and bake! It doesn't get any easier than that.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- ½ cup peanut butter chips
- 1 cup Reese's Pieces candies, divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Spray an 11x17 cookie sheet with sides with nonstick spray or line with parchment paper.
- Beat the butter, peanut butter, and sugars until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat again.
- Stir together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Slowly mix into to the creamed mixture until thoroughly combined.
- Gently stir in the white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and ¾ cup Reese's Pieces.
- Spread the cookie dough into the prepared cookie sheet. Press the extra Reese's candies into the top of the dough.
- Bake for 11-12 minutes. Do not over bake. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before cutting into 32 squares.
Notes
- Do not over mix the dough. Over mixing can cause your bars to come out tough and dry. Mix just until the ingredients are combined and then stop.
- Use a lined baking dish. Lining your dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil makes it easier to remove the bars from the baking pan and helps to prevent sticking.
- Experiment with mix ins. Don't be afraid to switch up the candies and add your own twist to the recipe. Try using M&M's, chopped nuts, or toffee bits for a unique flavor profile.
- Let them cool completely. It's important to let the bars cool completely before cutting them. If you try to cut them while they're still warm, they will fall apart.
- Add frosting. Frost the cookie bars with dark chocolate frosting or peanut butter frosting.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 32 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 191Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 166mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 12gProtein: 4g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*This post was first published March 2014. It was update and republished June 2023.
Trish - Mom On Timeout
These bars look incredible Jocelyn! So moist and perfect! And you know I'm loving the Reese's 🙂 Pinned!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Trish! 🙂
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet
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
Haha, isn't it great when it works out like that? 😉
Julie
I wish the jar of Nutella in my pantry weren't nearly empty, or I'd be making these right this instant!
Kathi @ Deliciously Yum!
Love, love, love these bars. The drizzled Nutella definitely sets it over the top for me. Yummo!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Kathi! 🙂
Lindsay @ Life, Love and Sugar
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 🙂
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction
Love everything about these cookie bars! I would gladly take some of those off your hands for you! 😉
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Jessica! 😉
Chris @ Shared Appetite
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)!!
Amanda
Love this so much. The Nutella stripes on top are awesome 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Amanda! 🙂
Marcie
These look so luscious, Jocelyn! That Nutella topping is more than I can stand. 🙂
Chloe @ foodlikecake
These sound amazing! I love peanut butter and nutella together, and bar cookies 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Chloe! 🙂
Nancy @ gottagetbaked
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!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting
I just can't handle all the goodness in these bars!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Hanks Julianne! 🙂
Happy Valley Chow
I looovveee cookie bars like that, they are always sooo moist, gooey and delicious. Great recipe 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
kentuckylady717
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
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.
Emily @ Life on Food
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.
Kayla
These look soo good! Peanut butter and nutella are always classic combinations!
Kelly
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
Thank you Kelly!! 🙂
Lavender
Those bars look absolutely delicious! I can't wait to try the recipe!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Lavender! 🙂
aimee@shugarysweets
Oooh I love these bars!!! EVERY SINGLE thing about them screams yum.
Chelsea @ Gal on a Mission
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
Thanks Chelsea! 🙂