An easy no-bake recipe for peanut butter bars with chocolate frosting.
Source: Bakerlady
Some days were made for baking. When it’s cool outside, and you have lots of un-interrupted time and lots of fresh produce in your fridge, there is nothing better than spending a few hours creating marvelous meals and desserts. The kitchen gets all warm from the oven, and the house smells like brownies, or apple pie, or pot roast.
I believe in days like that. I can’t remember the last time I experienced one, but I believe they exist.
More frequently, I find myself with a great desire to bake, but with an empty pantry and a full calendar. Some day, my life will be calm. Today, I struggle to put dinner on the table in the twenty minutes we are all together between karate classes and piano lessons and homework. So today, I am making a treat that requires NO baking, only a FEW ingredients, and can be done QUICKLY. It’s the perfect weekday treat for a busy family.
I’m going to warn you now, though… DON’T lick the bowl. Just don’t.
Did you know you can purchase graham cracker crumbs in a box? Gone are the days of putting crackers in a ziploc bag and smashing them with a rolling pin. Gone are the days of using the bulky food processor to turn crackers into crumbs. Welcome the days of buying them already crushed! It’s a major time saver. Take your already crushed graham cracker crumbs and mix them with powdered sugar, butter, and peanut butter. The spread the mixture into a 9×13 pan.
Here’s the thing… if you lick the bowl, I guarantee you will take a spoon to the 9×13, before you even get it frosted. You’ll be tempted to eat the entire thing yourself, and hide the pan from your kids.
That’s not what happened to me, I’m just saying it could happen. *ahem*
You’ll frost these lovely bars with a combination of chocolate and peanut butter, which is a very lovely frosting indeed. These will need some time to cool and set up, but 30-60 minutes in the fridge ought to be enough. And that’s it. Voila! You’ll have a fabulous, no-bake, keep-them-coming-back, weekday dessert with only a few minutes of work.
I’ll guarantee you they won’t last into the weekend.
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1½ cups chocolate chips
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- In a bowl, melt butter and peanut butter together. Add cracker crumbs, sugar, butter, and peanut butter. Spread mixture evenly into a 9×13 pan.
- Melt chocolate chips with peanut butter in 30 second intervals in the microwave, stirring between each, until melted and smooth.
- Pour chocolate mixture over bars, and frost evenly.
- Chill for 40-50 minutes until chocolate is set.
If you enjoy this recipe, you might also enjoy:
Nutella No-Bake Cookies from Jen’s Favorite Cookies
Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake from Sprinkle Bakes
Golden Grahams S’mores Bars from Pinch of Yum
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Yum! And I love how easy this is too.
Kyle came home the other day and told me I had to make these. He said they are amazing! I am going to try them for Father’s Day. Our family loves peanut butter. Thanks for your website Jen. I think I want to try every recipe!1
They are super-duper easy. You’re going to lave them! (At least, I know Kyle did!)
Jen, these look delicious! I didn’t know you were doing a website, just stumbled across it. I love the pictures, comments and the recipes- I will definitely be back! Kristie
Yum! Peanut Butter and Chocolate might be my all time favorite combination!
Yum. Pinning these. Was looking fro your posts you mentioned on SITS about being a mom to a teenager, since I blog about raising girls and was curious. Not sure where they are…..
These looks incredible! I am going to have to try these!
These look AWESOME! Seriously! I can’t wait to try these!
These look amazing! Happy SITS Day to you!!
I love an easy no bake recipe, especially since I hate baking. Thanks!
And Happy SITS Day!
Yum. What is better than peanut butter and chocolate? No bake! Enjoy your SITS Day.
Here from SITS. I cannot wait to try these bars!
I can already sense the danger. This is a very bad recipe for me to have discovered. Oh, I’m in trouble.
Awesome recipe!! Definitely have to make this today!
I just might have to make these today! They look SOOO good!!
Oh boy. I didn’t need to know about these!
Guess what we’re having in our lunch bags this week?! You got it! Yum!
Enjoy your SITS day!
These look tasty. Peanut butter and chocolate are my favorite combo. Stopping by from SITS today. Enjoy!
I’m more of an eater of baked goods than a creator of them. But these all sound great and I love the stories you introduce the recipes with.
{Melinda} Peanut butter and chocolate — is there a better combination??? Nope! I don’t think so! These look amazing … my family would LOVE!!!!
Happy SITS Day!
Oh man those look AMAZING, and like something even I could tackle without issue. I think we’ll be making these in my house soon!!
Very clever! That chocolate topping must make it taste like you are eating a giant peanut butter cup. What could be better?
Hope you are having a great SITS day. And when you get the kind of day that’s meant for baking with long un-interrupted time will you tell us about it so we can live vicariously?
This made my mouth water, gonna have to try this. Visiting from SITS.
these look DELICIOUS! I love that they do NOT require the oven…it’s been SO hot here (LA) lately.
and yes, the graham cracker crumbs in a box are a lifesaver!
Yum! Holy smokes those look amazing! Anything with peanut butter and chocolate has my vote!
My husband and boys would love these!
Oh, YUMS! These look absolutely delish! Found you via SITS and can’t wait to try out this recipe. Chocolate and peanut butter is one of my favorite combos ever
Love this simple recipe. I like no-bake recipes because I can cut down the baking time…
Oh wicked divine! Wish I could figure out how to turn these into a sugar-free/low carb creation. Now you got me thinking!
Oh, those look absolutely heavenly!
Oh my god…this looks like some real yummy peanut butter bars. Maybe not the healthiest recipe, but totattly delicious looking!