These No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars taste like Reece’s peanut butter cups! A soft peanut butter biscuit base topped with a peanut butter flavoured chocolate, all you need are 5 ingredients: biscuits, butter, chocolate, peanut butter and sugar.
This is the ultimate emergency sweet-treat!
NO BAKE Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
When it comes to sweet treats, these No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars are probably what I make the most often because it’s so quick to pull together, no bake, and WHO DOESN’T LOVE PEANUT BUTTER CUPS???
Plus, I almost always have everything I need to make these. Even though biscuits aren’t part of my weekly shop, usually if I dig deep into the giant baskets into which I toss everything that doesn’t have an obvious dedicated position in the pantry, then usually I’ll find some sort of biscuit suitable to use.
A month past the due by date, perhaps. Pffff! That’s fine. Everyone knows that the used by date for things like dried goods are conservative. Right? 😜
And actually, here’s proof of how frequently I make these: I just realised as I was pulling together the photos for this post how they don’t fit together like a set, and it’s because I shot them all on different days.
The photos you see in this post are from 3 different batches where I snapped a quick photo thinking hmm, I really should re-publish these Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars recipe with a video soon, and finally I got my butt into gear and actually did it.
Albeit I’ve ended up with a weird set of photos from three different days. Four actually – because the step photos were taken while making the recipe video! 🙈
This Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars recipe truly is pure gold. It was given to me by a reader, the lovely Dorothy from Tennessee, way back when I started this blog. It’s only 5 ingredients – crackers, peanut butter, chocolate, icing sugar (confectionary sugar) and butter. That’s it.
And it’s NO BAKE. Waiting for it to set is the hardest part of this recipe.
I usually approach “5 ingredient” recipes with caution. I find that many “5 Ingredient” recipes I see usually include a store bought sauce or similar. Like 5 ingredient BBQ chicken which includes a “bottle of your favourite barbecue sauce”.
When I see recipes like that, I instantly think that’s cheating!! 😂
Please don’t ask me why in my twisted mind, this counts as a 5 ingredient recipe “made from scratch” even though it is made using crackers. It just is.
#FemaleLogic
– Nagi x
For the Peanut Butter Obsessed
Peanut Butter Caramel Pie – dangerously easy, outrageously decadent
3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies – just 3 ingredients!
More irresistible bars and slices
Brownies!! AND Salted Caramel Stuffed Brownies – ooh la la!
Caramel Slice (aka Millionaire’s Bar!) – the great Aussie favourite!
Strawberry Bars – made with tons of fresh strawberries!
Easiest Ever Raspberries Jam Bars and Lemon Bars
And more emergency sweet treats – 3 Ingredient Desserts!!
1 ingredient Dulce de Leche – Slow Cooker Caramel
Classic Scones – and faster Lemonade Scones – both 3 ingredients!
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Sometimes it helps to have a visual so watch me make these Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars!
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5 Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars (NO BAKE!)
Ingredients
Base
- 115g / 1/2 cup / 1 US stick melted salted butter (or unsalted butter + 1/4 tsp salt)
- 1 cup crushed Arnott’s Marie crackers (11 crackers) or graham cracker crumbs (8 crackers) (Note 1)
- 1 cup icing sugar / powdered sugar
- 3/4 cup peanut butter (smooth)
Topping
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips – the melting kind (US: semi sweet) (Note 2)
- 2 tbsp peanut butter (smooth)
Instructions
- Butter and line a 8″ / 20cm square dish or pan with baking paper.
- Place the Base ingredients in a bowl and mix until combined. Press into the prepared pan.
- Melt the Topping ingredients (I do it in the microwave in 2 x 30 second bursts). Pour and spread over the Base – smooth the top or do swirls (see photos for examples of each).
- Refrigerate until set – about 1 1/2 hours. Remove from fridge, allow to come to room temp slightly (so top cuts neatly). Cut into 16 squares (or whatever shape you want!). Best served at room temperature.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
This Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars recipe was originally published January 2018. Updated for some housekeeping matters in October 2018, no change to recipe!
LIFE OF DOZER
That time he snuck on mum’s couch and we wondered how many cushions we could pile on him. We ran out of cushions.
Love your recipes 🙂
Looking forward to trying this recipe. Our family loves both chocolate and peanut butter.
Can I just confirm with you (I’m in Sydney) is Ann Marie crackers equal to Arnotts Marie biscuits?
Thanks in advance 🙂
That’s it Kim!!! I’ll update the recipe – did I really write Ann Marie??? PS I’m in Sydney too!! Northern beaches 🙂
love them if u wanna make more do u just doubble the recepy ???
Yup, you sure do!
I was really excited when I first saw the picture because I have wanted to make Reese’s peanut butter cups myself so I could make them less sweet. I love them but the amount of sweetness makes me ill. I was so disappointed to see how much sugar is in here. Graham crackers are really sweet already; I can’t imagine adding more sugar to them. I literally would not be able to eat these; that is a LOT of icing sugar. Peanut butter is sweet also. I will make this but will omit the sugar entirely and use dark chocolate, as semi sweet chocolate chips are very sweet also. And why salt? I don’t want salt in my sweets; would definitely omit that. I have a recipe for dark chocolate/peanut butter fudge that uses unsalted butter and no sugar and it comes out really, really good; well sweet enough.
I’m sorry you think this is too sweet! To be honest, I don’t have a sweet tooth, I am more of a savoury girl. I find most baked goods too sweet for my taste. These are definitely sweet but the squares aren’t that big! 🙂
OMG……………….. made these yesterday with my 2 year old son took us ten minutes. They are absolutely yum!!
LOVE these!!!!!
Thank you!! 🙂
Looks easy and tasty…wondering if I could use Gluten Free crushed pretzels as a sub for my GF friends??
Hi Roberta! My friend has a GF daughter and she made these with gluten free plain biscuits. 🙂 I would worry that pretzels are a little too dry compared and won’t hold together as well. 🙂
Hi Nagi, I did end up using 1.5 cups of crushed GF pretzels…I “taste tested” a bite after it set up…delicious!! Thanks so much for a terrific recipe.
Oh yay! I’m so glad it worked, great to know! 🙂 I’ll update the recipe with your tip in the notes!
Hi Nagi..These have been a hit! I cut them in 1 x 1 inch squares ( they make a LOT!), not to be stingy but they are so rich you really do not need a big piece to get that luscious rich Reese’s taste and I am going out on a limb and saying BETTER than the commercial brand- It has crunch, salty and sweet! I want to IMPLORE (that is pretty serious for a ‘yummy’!) your loyal Nagi friends to make for any kids gatherings, and for Holiday cookie exchanges, they will NOT be disappointed 🙂 Just HAD to come back and tell you what a HIT they were. And thank Dorothy AGAIN and YOU for being so kind and posting- you are the best. I posted on my FB page and sang your praises, LOVE my recipetineat! IT is raining and pouring in Portland! Have a great week. Lisa x
I’m so glad you enjoyed them Lisa! You know, I think you are right. I tend to cut them into larger square but them I cut pieces into smaller ones when I want to sneak a little bite here and there, rather than feeling so guilty eating an entire slice. You really are right, I should cut them into the same size as the small Reece’s cups!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much! And rain? It’s supposed to be SUMMER in P-town! N x
Alrighty Dorothy and Nagi, –WOW and yummy and fun and rich and you can easily make with kids! It is weird day around here today, I made brownies AND peanut butter cookies! and while I was perusing the POPULAR drop box, which I LOVE BTW Nagi, I saw this recipe! and I had every ingredient! YAY! It took me no time at all to make and now my house is filled with P.B. and chocolate goodies! Boy wont everyone be surprised when they get home 😉 HAHAHA! I have had my fill licking ALL the spoons! Oh what a great treat to bring to friends, for school functions, to give to a neighbor……. the list is endless, and so is your gift of giving us great recipes Nagi! P.S. It is like a ‘deconstructed’ reese’ cup! Lisa S. * making desserts in P Town x
Lisa – wowee, what a baking day!! Everyone around you so lucky that you’re in their lives – I wish I was there so you could litter ME with your amazing treats!! PS I lick all the spoons too!! 🙂 N x
Hello again Nagi
I made these sinfully good bars on the weekend and shared them (as one has to), with the ladies at my cooking class and yes, they were demolished and super delicious. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Di! I’m so glad you loved them! And I am proud of you for sharing. 🙂 He he!! 🙂
Her favorite part of cheesecake is the crust?? That is just wrong!
I’m twisted, I know!! I just love the crust!!!
Made this Sunday and it was awesome, it is now Tuesday and none left LOL
You mean it lasted 3 days? Longer than it does in MY household! 😉 So glad you enjoyed it!!! Easy, wasn’t it? Dangerously so. I know the recipe off by heart. Very VERY dangerous. N x
One of my all-time favorite treats, and the photos are excellent as well. Very nice.
Thanks very much Andrew! Hope you love it! N x
Dear Nagi, your recipe looks amazing, beautiful and mouthwatering to say in few words. Your food photography is also incredible and I can tell you you have inspired me to take that extra step 🙂 I am lately very much into no-bake recipes because as the summer approaches cold foods appeals more to me but also because having being a busy working mom with four kids these come in really handy. Awesome job!
Hi Silvia! Thanks so much for your kind words 🙂 I know what you mean about summer and no bake treats! And…did you say FOUR kids? I have no idea how you do it all – you rock! N x
Made these yesterday- DELICIOUS! Used plain gluten free biscuits in the base and tempered the chocolate for the top. So good. Only thing is- definitely didn’t make 16 portions! Maybe my portion size is too big 😉 Love from Glasgow, UK.
Ha ha!!! Sometimes I think this only makes 1. 😉 Thank you for taking the time to let me know you loved it!!! I should have added in the recipe that it works with gluten free biscuits, a friend of mine just asked the same thing.
Thanks again! So glad you loved it!! N x
HI Nagi,
My little girls and I made this yesterday. we all enjoyed it very much. Very very decadent… I only let them have a marble size bite at a time.
Of couse, little later, they were bouncing off walls. -.-;
I’m nibbling on a piece as I type this.
This should be stored in the fridge, right? Also, is there a way to have sturdier structured base?
Thank you as always!
I have visions of your girls running around like loonies around your house!! Too funny!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it 🙂 What do you mean about a sturdier base? I find that it holds together really well – like in the pictures, you can see that it didn’t crumble when I cut it. Did you find that yours crumbled? If so, it is probably the brand of biscuits you are using for the base. All you need to do is add either a bit of extra peanut butter or melted butter so that the base is more like a “dough”. You can tell it will hold together when you mix it up when you press it into the tin, bits shouldn’t crumble 🙂 Hope that makes sense!
I agree, small pieces are very sensible. 🙂 I store it in the fridge in warmer months but during the cooler months, it is fine to keep in the pantry. 🙂 So glad you loved it!! Thank you for coming back to let me know! Nx
The last photo made me smile. Such a dainty bite. I bet you didn’t bite like that when nobody was looking!
You think I bite into it? No no. The whole thing gets shoved into my mouth!
Oh WOW Nagi!! Now this is my kinda food!!! Yum!!
TOTALLY know that Lucy! I actually popped onto your site first to see if you had posted one 🙂
Sorry Nagi, I’m one crazy woman, we are North Westerly from Newcastle but on the East coast otherwise we’d be living in the ocean. Lol at the moment we have this gorgeously huge green tree frog perched up on the beam of our verandah just catching a little morning sun. Gorgeous!
These look beautiful and I can’t believe how easy to make they are! Pinning to try them!
Thank you so much Mira!! I was hoping the Baking Queen would approve! 🙂
How funny! My teenage daughter found this recipe via online a few month ago and we made it together. They were quite rich but really delicious. I was gonna post the adapted recipe but you beat me. LOL!
Too funny!! I have seen many variations of this type of bar online 🙂 I really like this one from Dorothy though, it’s the easiest and just as delicious! 🙂