April 26, 2023
Review RecipePeanut Butter Cup Cookie Bars

Table of Contents
When it comes to these insanely delicious peanut butter cup cookie bars, the name says it all. Soft and chewy cookie bars, studded with rich and creamy chocolate peanut butter cups and chocolate chips, make the perfect decadent treat.

Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Bars Ingredients

Imagine taking a bite of a decadent peanut butter cup cookie bar, as your senses are delighted by the irresistible flavors and textures.
The rich smoothness of the peanut butter combines with the gooey chocolate chips, teasing your taste buds and leaving them begging for more.
As you dig deeper into this heavenly treat, the soft, chewy cookie base, and peanut butter cup center provide a delightfully comforting contrast, ensuring a truly indulgent experience with each mouthwatering bite.
To make this delicious treat, you’ll need:
- 1½ cups of salted butter softened
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 cup of packed light brown sugar
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
- 3½ cups of all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons of baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon of salt
- 3 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 24 standard Reese’s peanut butter cups
Substitutions And Additions
MIX-INS: Add even more peanut butter flavor to this easy recipe by substituting a portion of the chocolate chips for peanut butter chips.
PEANUT BUTTER CUPS: Instead of the regular-sized Reese’s peanut butter cups, you could substitute miniature peanut butter cups.
How To Make This Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Bars Recipe
These cookie bars are quick and easy to make. All you need to do is whip up the delicious peanut butter and chocolate chip batter. Layer half of it in the pan before adding a decadent layer of peanut butter cups and the remainder of the batter. That’s all there is to it!
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
This chewy cookie bar recipe yields more dough than a standard chocolate chip cookie recipe, which lends itself nicely to fully covering the pan for the base and then has enough cookie dough to cover the peanut butter cups, too.
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a 9×13 metal baking pan (with square edges preferred) with parchment paper.
STEP TWO: Add butter, sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl. Use a stand mixer or hand mixer to beat together until creamy.
STEP THREE: Add the eggs and vanilla extract, then continue beating until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes), scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally.
STEP FOUR: Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Whisk the flour mixture together.
STEP FIVE: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat just enough to incorporate.
STEP SIX: Add the semi-sweet chocolate chips and stir with a large spoon to mix.

STEP SEVEN: Add half of the chocolate chip cookie mixture to the prepared pan. Flatten evenly into the pan.
PRO TIP:
Use a piece of plastic wrap or a spatula sprayed with non-stick cooking spray to press the dough into the pan. It tends to be a bit sticky.

STEP EIGHT: Remove the wrappers from the Reese’s peanut butter cups and place them into the pan over the bottom layer of chocolate chip cookie dough. If needed, cut peanut butter cups in half to fill as much of the space as possible.
PRO TIP:
Refrigerate the peanut butter cups for about 10 minutes to make them easier to cut.

STEP NINE: Spoon the remaining dough over the peanut butter cups and press to spread it to cover.

STEP TEN: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until almost fully set. The top should be evenly golden brown, and the center should not jiggle much. These cookie bars are best just a little undercooked.
PRO TIP:
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your bars at the lower end of the recommended baking time.

STEP ELEVEN: Once the cookies have cooled completely, lift them from the pan and cut them into bars on a cutting board.
How To Serve
Peanut butter lovers will enjoy these delicious bars, along with a glass of milk or homemade hot chocolate to wash it down.
If you are looking for an even more indulgent dessert, try adding a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side and a dollop of whipped cream on the top.
Our salted caramel chocolate chip cookie bars and magic cookie bars are two more easy cookie bar recipes to satisfy your cravings.
MORE COOKIE BAR RECIPES
Storage
IN THE FRIDGE: Store chewy peanut butter cookie bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
IN THE FREEZER: You can also freeze these peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bars for up to 3 months.
Store the cookie bars in an airtight container labeled with the best-by date. Thaw on the counter overnight before serving.

These peanut butter cup cookie bars are absolutely delicious and come out nice and thick and just slightly gooey. They are loaded with peanut butter cup goodness and are the perfect treat for when sweet cravings strike.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This cookie bar recipe can be stored in the fridge for up to five days, so they don’t get too gooey.
Add other types of chocolate chips or nuts to your cookie bars for even more richness.
These peanut butter cup bars will keep well in the freezer for up to three months.
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Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 1½ cups salted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3½ cups flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 24 standard Reese’s peanut butter cups
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a 9×13 metal baking pan (with square edges preferred) with parchment paper.
- Add butter, sugar, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Use a standing mixer or hand mixer to beat together until creamy.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract, then continue beating until light and fluffy (2 to 3 minutes), scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally.
- Add flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Whisk together.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and beat just enough to incorporate.
- Add semi-sweet chocolate chips and stir with a large spoon to mix.
- Add half of the chocolate chip cookie mixture to the prepared baking pan. Flatten evenly into the pan.
- Remove the wrappers from the Reese’s peanut butter cups and place them into the pan over the bottom layer of chocolate chip cookie dough. If needed, cut the peanut butter cups in half to fill as much of the space as possible.
- Spoon the remaining dough over the peanut butter cups and press to spread it to cover.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until almost fully set. The top should be evenly golden brown, and the center should not jiggle much. These cookie bars are best just a little undercooked.
- Once the cookies have cooled completely, lift them from the pan and cut them into bars.
Notes
- This chewy cookie bar recipe yields more dough than a standard chocolate chip cookie recipe, which lends itself nicely to fully covering the pan for the base and then has enough cookie dough to cover the peanut butter cups, too.
- Use a piece of plastic wrap or a spatula sprayed with non-stick cooking spray to press the dough into the pan. It tends to be a bit sticky.
- Refrigerate the peanut butter cups for about 10 minutes to make them easier to cut.
- Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your bars at the lower end of the recommended baking time.
Comments
KimD says
I can’t wait to make these! I might add some peanut butter chips in as well, the more peanut butter the better!
Jacy Teele says
I would probably add more chocolate. I like peanut butter and all but chocolate with peanut butter not peanut butter with chocolate 🤣
BARBARA CUMMINGS says
Simple and looks quite tasty.
Leyla says
Can’t wait to try these with the kids
Jennifer says
These look so yummy! I’ll definitely add some peanut butter chips to make it more peanut buttery!
maggie smith says
very good easy to follow.
Kenneth L Miller says
Love peanut butter any thing very good
BrendaH says
Can’t wait to try these! Looks very decadent!
Jeannine says
Love the combination of peanut butter and chocolate