Peanut Butter No-Bake Bars
These bars are perfect for when you’re craving a peanut butter cup, but can’t quite get to them. Inspired by buckeyes, they have that same fudgy-salty-sweet vibe, but with a layer of caramelized flavor from letting the butter turn golden brown after it melted. You can make these treats in just about any size pan, even a mini muffin tin for that true peanut butter cup feel. Cut them into bars or squares with a knife, or use cookie cutters to make cute shapes if you need a project for the kids. Or even the adults, because that sort of thing never gets old.
- Total:
- Serves: 1 person
Ingredients
- 3tablespoons butter
- 1cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy), or use another nut butter
- Pinch of kosher salt (optional)
- ½cup cookie crumbs, such as graham crackers or gingersnaps, or use almond flour, coconut flour or shredded coconut
- About 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 6ounces chocolate chips or chopped chocolate, any percentage (1 cup)
- ½tablespoon coconut oil or butter
- Flaky sea salt, shredded coconut, sliced almonds, chopped honey-roasted peanuts, or crushed pretzels, for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
Step 1
Make the base: Heat butter in a pot or skillet, letting it melt and bubble and turn brown. It will smell nutty. Add peanut butter, and turn off the heat. (If your nut butter is unsalted, add a pinch of salt.) Stir it all around until the peanut butter melts, then stir in crumbs.Step 2
Sweeten the mix to taste with confectioners’ sugar. That could mean 1 cup, but try it as you go.Step 3
Spread the mixture into parchment or foil lined 8-by-8-inch pan, but really, any pan will work.Step 4
Make the topping: Add chocolate chips and coconut oil to a small pot, and melt the chocolate on the stovetop over low heat, stirring constantly. (Alternatively, add to a microwaveable bowl, and microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring in between each one.)Step 5
Spread the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer. Sprinkle any of the toppings over, and refrigerate until the peanut butter and chocolate layers are set, about 1 hour or so. Cut these into bars or squares with a knife, or use cookie cutters for shapes. (Store in the refrigerator after cutting; they’ll melt in a warm room.)