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Delicious Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Indulge in these dreamy peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bars, a delightful treat that’s soft, chewy, and packed with rich chocolate flavor. They’re incredibly easy to make and will leave you wanting more!

Why You’ll Love These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

There are plenty of reasons to fall in love with these cookie bars:

Time-Saving Treat: Forget about scooping out individual cookie dough balls! These bars are a breeze to whip up, making them perfect for busy bakers.
Irresistible Sweet & Nutty Taste: The magic of peanut butter and chocolate can’t be denied! It’s a flavor combination that’s beloved by everyone.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Once baked, these bars stay fresh for days when stored correctly. You can even prepare the dough ahead of time and keep it ready in the fridge or freezer.
Customizable: Chocolate chips are fantastic, but why not get creative? You can add sprinkles, chopped nuts, or swirls of melted chocolate for an extra touch!

Peanut butter chocolate chip cookie batter in a mixing bowl

Ingredients

Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and moisture to keep your bars tender.
Granulated & Light Brown Sugar: Granulated sugar brings a little crispness, while brown sugar keeps things moist and adds a hint of caramel flavor.
Eggs: One whole egg and an additional yolk bind the ingredients together, ensuring the bars remain moist.
Creamy Peanut Butter: Use a smooth peanut butter for that classic nutty flavor—stay away from natural brands, as they can alter the dough’s consistency.
Pure Vanilla Extract & Salt: These ingredients enhance the overall flavor profile.
All-Purpose Flour & Cornstarch: These form the sturdy foundation of your cookie bars.
Baking Soda: This helps the bars rise, creating that perfect texture.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: These provide those delightful chocolate pockets throughout the bars!

Chocolate chip cookie bars stacked on a white plate.

How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Get ready for a delightful experience as you whip up these cookie bars. The combination of peanut butter and chocolate creates a symphony of flavors that everyone will adore!

Preheat: Start by heating your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Beat: In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg, yolk, and vanilla until everything is well combined.
Mix: In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Sifting these ingredients together ensures a smooth dough.
Combine: Gently fold the dry mixture into the wet mixture until it’s just halfway mixed. Now, add in the chocolate chips and stir until everything is well incorporated.
Press: Spread the dough evenly into your prepared baking dish. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden brown and the center is set.
Cool: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, slice them up, serve, and enjoy your delicious creation!

Slices of peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bar cooling on a rack.

Tips for the Best Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Follow these helpful tips to achieve the perfect cookie bars every single time:

Sift the Dry Ingredients: Whisk or sift your flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt together to prevent lumps and ensure everything is evenly mixed.
Avoid Over-Mixing: Once the dry ingredients are added, mix just until you don’t see streaks. Over-mixing can lead to tougher bars.
Save Some Chocolate Chips: Reserve a handful of chocolate chips to sprinkle on top right after removing the bars from the oven; they’ll melt and create a beautiful finish.
Bake Until Slightly Underdone: Look for a golden top and moist crumbs on a toothpick; this helps keep the bars soft and chewy as they cool.
Cool Completely Before Cutting: Let them set in the pan to avoid crumbling when slicing.
Thicker Bars Tip: If you prefer thicker bars, consider using a 9×9-inch baking pan and bake a bit longer.
Experiment with Mix-Ins: Get creative and try adding chopped peanuts, mini pretzels, M&Ms, or even Reese’s Pieces for fun twists.

Hand holding a piece of peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bar.

How to Store

These cookie bars are not only quick to make, but they’re also easy to store!

To Store: Once cooled, place the bars in an airtight container, with parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking together. They can be stored at room temperature for 3-4 days or in the fridge for up to a week.

To Freeze the Bars: After cooling, wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap. Store them in a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container for 2-3 months of deliciousness.

To Freeze the Dough: Shape the dough into a disc, double wrap it in plastic, and store it in a freezer bag. It can stay frozen for 1-2 months. Simply thaw in the fridge before baking.