Description
A straightforward recipe for chewy peanut butter cookie bars.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy.
- Beat in the peanut butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- If using, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of granulated sugar evenly over the top of the dough.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper overhang.
- Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- For cleaner cutting, chill the cooled bars for 30 minutes before slicing.
- You can use crunchy peanut butter if you prefer texture in your bars.
- For a richer flavor, use salted butter and omit the added salt in the dry ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: peanut butter, cookie bars, dessert, easy baking, sweet treat