Peanut Butter Passion Bars

If you’re a peanut butter lover, Peanut Butter Passion Bars are your dream dessert come true. These soft, chewy cookie bars are packed with creamy peanut butter, sweet brown sugar, melty chocolate chips, and just the right amount of crunch. Perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or cozy nights in, these bars are rich, satisfying, and dangerously easy to make.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
One-Bowl Wonder – Quick cleanup and easy prep in under 15 minutes.
Chewy & Gooey – Moist, rich bars with a melt-in-your-mouth center.
Peanut Butter Perfection – Packed with peanut butter flavor from top to bottom.
Perfect for Sharing – Great for parties, gifts, or anytime you need a crowd-pleaser.
Customizable – Add nuts, candies, or a drizzle of chocolate on top.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup peanut butter chips (optional)
• ½ cup chopped peanuts (optional, for crunch)

Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing bowl
• Hand or stand mixer
• 9×13-inch baking pan
• Parchment paper or nonstick spray
• Rubber spatula
• Cooling rack

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper or grease lightly with nonstick spray.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the butter, peanut butter, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the egg and vanilla extract, and beat again until smooth.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients
In the same bowl, stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined.
Do not overmix.

Step 4: Fold in the Goodies
Fold in the chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and peanuts (if using).
Spread the thick batter evenly into your prepared pan with a spatula.

Step 5: Bake
Bake for 22–26 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is just set.
The edges should be lightly browned. Do not overbake to keep them soft.

Step 6: Cool and Cut
Let the bars cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Once fully cooled, cut into squares and serve.

Tips for Best Results
Use Room Temp Ingredients – Ensures everything mixes evenly.
Don’t Overbake – Slightly underbaked bars stay soft and chewy.
Line the Pan – Makes for easy removal and clean slices.
Add a Drizzle – Melt extra chocolate or peanut butter and drizzle over the top for extra flair.
Double for a Crowd – These bars are perfect for doubling and freezing.

Serving Suggestions
With Cold Milk – A classic combo that never fails.
As a Dessert Platter Star – Pair with brownies, cookies, and fudge.
Warm with Ice Cream – Heat in the microwave and top with vanilla ice cream.
Gift Boxes – Wrap in parchment and tie with twine for a thoughtful homemade gift.
Late-Night Snack – Satisfy your sweet cravings any time.

How to Store & Reheat

Storing:
Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Refrigerator: Keeps for up to 1 week, tightly covered.

Freezing:
Wrap bars tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag.
Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp or warm gently in the microwave.

Reheating:
Microwave: Heat individual bars for 10–15 seconds for that fresh-from-the-oven taste.
Oven: Rewarm in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes if serving a crowd.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use chunky peanut butter?
   Yes, it will add extra texture. Just keep the rest of the recipe the same.
2. Can I make this gluten-free?
   Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and check that other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
3. What if I don’t have peanut butter chips?
   No problem—just use extra chocolate chips or omit them entirely.
4. Can I cut the sugar?
   You can reduce the brown sugar by ¼ cup, but it may affect texture slightly.
5. Can I make this into cookie cups?
   Yes! Scoop into muffin tins and bake at 350°F for about 15–18 minutes.

Final Thoughts
Peanut Butter Passion Bars are the kind of dessert that disappear fast. Soft, chewy, and loaded with peanut butter and chocolate, these bars are everything you love about a cookie in a convenient, shareable form. Make a batch today and treat yourself to one of the simplest, most satisfying desserts around.

Baking these? Snap a photo and tag your creation—we’d love to see your peanut butter passion in action!

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Cuisine: American

Nutritional Information (Per Bar):
Calories: 280 | Protein: 5g | Carbohydrates: 30g | Fat: 15g | Fiber: 2g | Sodium: 160mg

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