Best Ever No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Who doesn’t love a good cookie? As kids, most of us would have traded the chance at money for a sweet bite.  As adults, they are a well-deserved indulgence. When I asked my wife what she wanted for her birthday this year her answer was simple.  She didn’t even hesitate in saying, “I want no-bake cookies.  That’s all I want.”

And that, my friends, is exactly what she got.

Knowing that no-bake cookies were to be the vehicle, the next step was choosing a flavor. In my case, this was pretty simple.  My wife is more than just a little partial to all things peanut butter, so I set out to find a great no-bake peanut butter cookie recipe.

I found it. Then I made it better.  A lot better. Because chocolate makes everything better.

The recipe that inspired this one was incredibly well received at allrecipes.com.  The comments were positive and offered helpful insight on changes that could be made, but one comment, in particular, caught my eye.

This recipe could definitely could use some alterations! 2 1/2 cups of sugar is sufficient. …

My wife is not fond of ultra sweet treats, nor am I, so that comment was taken to heart.  I backed off the sugar as suggested and was greeted with lovely semi-sweet, nutty, buttery, chocolate peanut butter bars that may just be the only no-bake cookie I ever make for the rest of my life. Yes, they are that good.  But the chocolate puts them over the top

What I present here is the accidental achievement of what is quite possibly the ultimate no-bake confection.  They were a hit with all in our family, who quickly polished all 48 of them off and then asked for more.  I’m sure that you and yours will enjoy them as well, so make a batch for your loved ones as soon as you can. You’ll be glad you did, I promise.

Yield: 24 bars

Best Ever No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

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Ingredients

• 2-1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cups butter
• 3/4 cups 2% milk
• 1-1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 4-1/2 cup oats (quick cooking or old-fashioned, either will work)
• 12 ounces (2 cups) Semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Combine sugar, butter, and milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a full boil and boil for a full minute, stirring often.
2. Remove from heat. Add peanut butter and vanilla and stir until fully incorporated. Add oats and stir until mix begins to cool. (If using old-fashioned oats, stir to combine and allow to sit in the pot for 5 minutes before continuing.)
3. Spread mixture evenly into a parchment or wax-paper-lined sheet pan and set aside until firm (about 1 hour).
4. Melt chocolate in a bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water or in the microwave. Pour chocolate over the peanut butter cookies and spread smooth. Refrigerate until set. (about 1/2 hour, but overnight works well.)
5. Cut into 2-inch squares. Store in layers separated with parchment paper in an air-tight container for up to 1 week.
6. Share and Enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

24

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 372Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 154mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 3gSugar: 30gProtein: 7g

I’m not really sure if these can be improved by much, but I may try adding a layer of caramel between the peanut butter and the chocolate

Links to other recipes like this:

• No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies III, from Cindy Carnes on allrecipes.com
• No-Bake Cookies, from The Brown Eyed Baker
• No Bake Cookies, from eat bake read