Sinful Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bars Recipe

Wickedly Indulgent Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bars Recipe

Chocolate and peanut butter create magic in these sinful peanut butter cookie dough bars that melt hearts instantly.

Sweet dreams are made of delectable layers waiting to surprise you.

The rich, creamy texture blends decadent flavors into one irresistible treat.

Every bite promises pure indulgence without guilt.

Smooth chocolate cascades over velvety peanut butter cookie dough, creating a dessert that breaks all rules.

No baking required means less hassle and more enjoyment.

These bars will become your new favorite dessert obsession that everyone craves.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 16

For Cookie Dough Base:
  • Peanut Butter: Provides rich, nutty foundation with creamy texture and deep flavor profile.
  • Butter: Adds moisture and helps bind ingredients for smooth, luxurious consistency.
  • Brown Sugar: Introduces caramel-like sweetness and helps create soft, chewy texture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity with warm, aromatic notes.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies other ingredient flavors.
  • Oat Flour: Creates gluten-free structure and provides hearty, wholesome background.
  • Milk: Helps achieve perfect cookie dough consistency and binds ingredients smoothly.
For Chocolate Topping:
  • Chocolate Chips: Creates decadent, glossy layer with rich chocolate flavor.
  • Peanut Butter: Adds extra richness and complementary nutty undertone to chocolate layer.
For Optional Garnish:
  • Flaky Sea Salt: Optional finishing touch that elevates chocolate and peanut butter flavors with delicate crunch.
  • Large Bowl: Essential for mixing cookie dough ingredients thoroughly and creating smooth texture.
  • 8×8-inch Baking Pan: Perfect size for creating evenly pressed cookie dough bars.
  • Parchment Paper: Crucial for easy removal and clean cutting of bars.
  • Spatula: Helps smooth cookie dough layer and spread chocolate topping evenly.
  • Microwave-Safe Bowl: Used for melting chocolate and peanut butter together.
  • Measuring Spoons: Necessary for precise milk and vanilla measurements.
  • Mixer or Whisk: Helps beat butter, peanut butter, and sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Sharp Knife: Needed for clean, precise bar slicing after chilling.

Layer and Chill: Peanut Butter Bars Made Simple

  • Create Cookie Dough Base

Grab your mixing bowl and whip together creamy peanut butter, softened butter, and brown sugar until they become a fluffy dream. Splash in vanilla extract and sprinkle some salt for depth. Slowly fold in oat flour until everything looks crumbly. Add tiny bits of milk, stirring until the mixture transforms into a perfect cookie dough texture.

  • Craft the Foundation

Grab a baking pan and line it with parchment paper, letting edges hang over for easy removal. Press your delicious cookie dough mixture into the pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula until it’s perfectly even.

  • Melt Chocolate Topping

Combine chocolate chips and peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Zap in short bursts, stirring between each interval, until the mixture becomes silky smooth and glossy.

  • Layer and Chill

Drizzle the melted chocolate mixture across the cookie dough, spreading it carefully to create an even, tempting layer. Pop the pan into the refrigerator and let it chill for a couple hours until completely set.

  • Slice and Enjoy

Pull out the bars using the parchment paper edges. Slice into delectable squares. Serve chilled or at room temperature for a mouthwatering treat that’ll make taste buds dance.

  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prep these bars up to a week in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a convenient sweet treat that's always ready.
  • Gluten-Free Hack: Swap regular oat flour with certified gluten-free oat flour to make this recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
  • Perfect Texture Trick: Ensure the cookie dough is slightly sticky but not wet – add milk gradually to achieve the ideal consistency that holds together without being too loose.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace butter with coconut oil and use dairy-free chocolate chips to create a completely dairy-free version of these decadent bars.
  • Storage Wisdom: Keep bars chilled for the best texture and slice them when slightly cold to get clean, neat edges that look professional and appetizing.
  • Party Platter Perfection: Create a stunning dessert board with these bars as the centerpiece, surrounded by fresh berries, sliced apples, and a sprinkle of chopped peanuts for extra crunch.
  • Cozy Comfort Pairing: Serve alongside a cold glass of milk or warm cup of coffee, allowing the rich chocolate and peanut butter flavors to complement your favorite beverage.
  • Gift-Worthy Presentation: Wrap individual bars in cute parchment paper or stack in a decorative box for a homemade treat that's perfect for friends, family, or holiday gifting.
  • Afternoon Snack Upgrade: Pack these bars in lunchboxes or enjoy as an energizing mid-day treat that satisfies sweet cravings with a protein-packed punch.

Store Peanut Butter Bars for Snacking Later

  • Smart Storage Solutions
  • Chilled Sanctuary: Store bars in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 7 days, keeping them fresh and maintaining their delightful texture.
  • Freezer-Friendly Stash: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container to enjoy for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for best results.
  • Quick Grab Strategy: Layer bars between parchment paper sheets to prevent sticking when storing multiple pieces together.
  • Temperature Control Trick: Keep bars cool to maintain their firm chocolate topping and prevent softening, ensuring a perfect bite every time.
Print
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Sinful Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bars Recipe

Sinful Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bars Recipe


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4.5 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 17 1x

Description

Irresistible peanut butter cookie dough bars combine creamy layers of sweet indulgence with rich chocolate. Chocolate chips and smooth peanut butter create a delightful dessert you cannot resist.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups oat flour (or all-purpose flour, heat-treated)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tbsps milk
  • 2 tbsps creamy peanut butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Mixing Base: Whip peanut butter, butter, and brown sugar until fluffy and light, creating a smooth foundational mixture.
  2. Flavor Enhancement: Incorporate vanilla extract and salt, then blend oat flour until the mixture develops a crumbly consistency, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
  3. Dough Preparation: Gradually add milk, kneading the mixture until it transforms into a cohesive, pliable cookie dough with perfect texture.
  4. Pan Setup: Line a square baking pan with parchment paper, allowing generous overhangs for easy removal of the finished dessert.
  5. Layer Formation: Spread the peanut butter dough evenly across the prepared pan, pressing gently to create a uniform base with smooth edges.
  6. Chocolate Topping: Melt chocolate chips and peanut butter together in the microwave, stirring between short intervals until achieving a silky, glossy consistency.
  7. Final Assembly: Pour the chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the dough layer, spreading carefully to ensure complete and even coverage.
  8. Chilling and Setting: Refrigerate the bars for a minimum of two hours, allowing the layers to solidify and flavors to meld completely.
  9. Serving: Remove from refrigerator, lift the dessert using parchment edges, slice into precise squares, and serve chilled or allow slight tempering for a more indulgent texture.

Notes

  • Customize Dough Texture: Adjust milk quantity carefully to achieve desired cookie dough consistency, preventing overly sticky or crumbly results.
  • Prevent Chocolate Separation: Melt chocolate and peanut butter slowly and gently, stirring consistently to maintain smooth, glossy chocolate layer without grainy texture.
  • Storage and Freshness: Store bars in airtight container within refrigerator for maximum 5-7 days, keeping them chilled to preserve structural integrity and prevent rapid softening.
  • Dietary Modifications: Substitute oat flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond or coconut flour, and use dairy-free chocolate chips for vegan-friendly version while maintaining similar rich, creamy texture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 hours
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 17
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg
Jenna Hartley

Jenna Hartley

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

  • Recipe development with a focus on single-dish meals.
  • Fusion of traditional and modern Australian cuisines.
  • Food styling and photography for digital platforms.​

Education

Box Hill Institute, Melbourne

  • Degree: Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management
  • Focus: Specialized in practical food and beverage service, responsible alcohol and hygiene compliance, legal risk management, and hands‑on experience in a simulated restaurant environment.

William Angliss Institute, Melbourne

  • Program: Certificate IV in Patisserie
  • Focus: Specialized in pastry and bakery techniques, cookery and specialty food preparation, recipe planning and costing, commercial kitchen operations, sustainable and inclusive work practices, food safety and hygiene compliance, and workplace health and safety.

Jenna is the heart of Picture Perfect Meals, turning simple ingredients into beautiful, easy‑to‑make dishes. 

Growing up around family meals in Melbourne, she trained at Box Hill Institute and then perfected her pastry skills at William Angliss Institute. She loves mixing classic Australian flavors with fresh ideas to keep cooking fun and stress‑free.

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