• Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact

Search

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact

Subscribe for EASY meals!

  • Appetizers
  • Breakfast
  • Sides
  • Dinner
  • Salads
  • Soups
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Lena's Kitchen

Lena's Kitchen

easy, elevated and approachable simple recipes for the everyday home cook

  • Weeknight Meals
  • Sides
  • Salads
  • Appetizers
  • Sweets
Home » Sweets

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie Bars

Posted: August 4, 2018 by lena gladstone | Updated: June 14, 2022

528 shares

These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie Bars bake quickly in an 8×8 pan, making them extra thick and chewy! They’re the ultimate dessert and packed full of chocolate and smooth peanut butter.

Jump to Recipe
close up on peanut butter chocolate chunk cookies being cut into squares with a knife.

Soft and chewy peanut butter chocolate chip bars

Calling all chocolate, peanut butter, and sea salt fans! These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie Bars are for you. Featuring a dreamy mix of thick chocolate chunks and creamy peanut butter, every bite of these chewy bars is sensational and even better when served with ice cream on top.

These chocolate chip cookie bars are inspired by Handle The Heat’s recipe. I stumbled upon her monthly baking challenge one day and just had to try these cookie bars for myself! I’m the first to admit that I’m not the world’s best baker, but this recipe was so much fun and easy too.

Just like Handle The Heat, I baked these bars in an 8×8 baking pan. The easy cookie batter fills the pan, leaving you with ultra-thick, soft, and chewy bars.

If you’re a nut butter and chocolate superfan, then you’re going to want to try these Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups and Dark Chocolate Covered Stuffed Dates as well!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Bars Baking challenge

Ingredients and substitutions

  • Peanut butter – Use smooth or crunchy regular peanut butter. The peanut butter at the top of a fresh jar will be the easiest to work with! Natural peanut butter won’t work as well because it’s very oily and can separate. 
  • Brown sugar – Just like classic chocolate chip cookies, brown sugar gives the bars a deep, molasses-like flavor.
  • All purpose flour – I haven’t tested it, but a 1:1 gluten free flour mix should work if you need the cookie bars to be gluten free.
  • Eggs – Make sure they’re at room temperature to help the bars bake evenly.
  • Chocolate chunks – Either buy semi-sweet chocolate chunks or roughly chop your favorite milk chocolate bar.
  • Flaky sea salt – To sprinkle on top of the bars when they come out of the oven. It’s a magical finishing touch that helps the chocolate and peanut butter sing.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Bars Baking challenge

How to make peanut butter chocolate chunk cookie bars

These gooey cookie bars are easy to make in 5 simple steps:

  1. Mix the butter, sugar, and peanut butter: Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in the brown sugar, then take the pot off the heat. Add the peanut butter and stir until smooth. Let it cool before moving forward.
  2. The dry mix: Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Finish the batter: Mix the eggs into the cooled butter mixture, then the vanilla extract. Pour the wet mixture into the dry and stir until just combined. Finish by folding in the chocolate chunks.
  4. Bake the cookie bars: Pour the cookie bar batter into the prepared 8×8 baking dish, then bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
  5. Cool, then slice and serve: Leave the bars to cool in the pan for a few minutes. Afterward, transfer to a wire rack, then slice into bars and serve.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Bars Baking challenge

Frequently asked questions

Can they be made with almond butter?

Yes! Replace the peanut butter with the same amount of almond butter. The bars will taste slightly different but will still be gooey and delicious.

Can they be made gluten free?

I haven’t tested it, but you could try using a 1:1 gluten free flour baking mix instead of all purpose flour.

I don’t have an 8×8 metal pan. What else can I use?

The recipe still works well in a metal or glass 9×9 baking dish. Because this dish is larger, the bars will not be as thick or chewy and you’ll need to reduce the baking time.

What else can I add to peanut butter cookie bars?

All kinds of things! Customize the cookie bars by folding in chopped nuts, candy-coated chocolate, chopped peanut butter cups, or dried fruit. You could even try adding a scoop of protein powder to transform them into protein cookie bars.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Bars Baking challenge
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Bars Baking challenge

Storing

Store: Keep the sliced bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Wrap the individual bars in plastic and keep them in an airtight container. They’ll freeze well for up to 3 months.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Bars Baking challenge

peanut butter chocolate chunk cookie bars on small black plates.
a peanut butter chocolate chunk cookie bar on small black plate.

Looking for more sweet treats?

  • Grilled Peaches and Ice Cream
  • Raspberry Lemon Burnt Basque Cheesecake
  • Apple Fritters with Vanilla Lemon Glaze
  • Strawberry Rhubarb Fruit Galette

If you give these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie Bars a try, let me know in the comments below. I love seeing your pictures too, so please tag me on Instagram @lenaskitchenblog and use #lenaskitchenblog so I can share them to my page!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Bars Baking challenge

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie Bars

5 from 2 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 30 minutes mins
Total Time: 45 minutes mins
Servings: 12 large bars
Author: Lena Gladstone
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie Bars bake quickly in an 8×8 pan, making them extra thick and chewy! They’re the ultimate dessert and packed full of chocolate and smooth peanut butter.

Ingredients

  • 1 (113 grams) stick unsalted butter
  • 1 3/4 (350 grams) cups light brown sugar
  • 1/2 (135 grams) cup smooth peanut butter
  • 2 + 1 yolk eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 (286 grams) cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp flaky sea salt for finishing after bake, optional
  • 6 (170 grams) oz semi-sweet chocolate chunks

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8 by 8-inch metal baking pan with parchment or foil.
  • n a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar, stirring until smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the peanut butter. Allow to cool.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  • Once the butter mixture is cool, add the eggs and yolk, one at a time, until well combined. Stir in the vanilla extract. Pour the mixture into the prepared dry ingredients, and stir to create a very thick dough-like batter. Fold in 3/4 the chocolate chunks, reserving the rest for sprinkling on top.
  • Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, spreading evenly to the edges. Sprinkle with the remaining chocolate chunks, lightly pressing them into the batter.
  • Bake for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and the edges are slightly browned. Allow to cool in the pan. Use the parchment to remove the bars before cutting into squares and serving. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Notes

RECIPE CREDIT: Handle the Heat blog.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked, chocolate, dessert, peanut butter, sweet

Nutrition

Serving: 0g | Carbohydrates: 0g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 0mg | Potassium: 0mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g | Vitamin A: 0IU | Vitamin C: 0mg | Calcium: 0mg | Iron: 0mg

xoxo,
LENA

SHARE THIS IMAGE BELOW ON PINTEREST
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Bars Baking Challenge by lenaskitchenblog.com

528 shares

You might also like:
Fresh strawberry cake on a cake platter.Fresh Strawberry Cake (With Lemon)
Baked peaches.Baked Peaches
Frozen yogurt bark on a table.Frozen Yogurt Bark
Slices of strawberry snacking cake on plates.Strawberry Snacking Cake
Orange Pistachio Shortbread Cookies
Classic Shortbread Cookie Recipe
Raspberry Lemon Burnt Basque Cheesecake
Dark Chocolate Covered Stuffed Dates

Reader Interactions

5 from 2 votes

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Reviews
Questions

Comments

  1. Vera

    at

    5 stars
    The perfect combination of peanut butter and chocolate!!

    Reply
    • lenaskitchen

      at

      So happy to hear that. It’s so delicious. Happy cooking!

  2. Karlee

    at

    5 stars
    These look absolutely nummers!!!! okay okay okrrrr

    Reply
    • lenaskitchen

      at

      Awe, thanks boo. I loved creating them. This made baking fun for me, for the first time.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome, glad you’re here!

Hi, I’m Lena Gladstone, the recipe developer and food photographer behind Lena’s Kitchen. Here you will find approachable food recipes to share with the whole family. Keto friendly, weeknight dinners all made with fresh ingredients. Click here to learn more!

Let’s Connect

Craving More Easy Recipes?

Subscribe for weekly ideas in your inbox.


 

More like this

Prosciutto and melon.

Easy Summer Recipes

Grilled salmon fillet on a blue and white platter, topped with corn, tomato, and avocado salsa, garnished with cilantro and lime halves.

Salmon with Avocado Salsa

A plate of tortilla chips with a small bowl of salsa and lime wedges on parchment paper.

Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

A tostada topped with mashed avocado and shrimp salad sits on a plate.

Shrimp Tostadas

Overhead shot of chicken caesar pasta salad with shaved parmesan cheese on top.

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Overhead shot of Greek lamb chops served with herbed sauce on the side.

Greek Lamb Chops

A bowl of freshly made pico de gallo with diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapeño, surrounded by lime, salt, chips, and fresh ingredients.

Fresh Pico De Gallo

A white plate with slices of grilled steak, some medium-rare, with a gold serving fork; surrounded by bowls of chopped vegetables and herbs.

Easy Carne Asada Recipe

RECIPE CATEGORY

Craving More Easy Recipes?

  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Home
Recipes
Contact
Shop

FAQ
Privacy Policy
Accessibility

Copyright © 2025 · Site Credits · Sitemap

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.