Peanut Butter Lovers Cookie Bars are soft, chewy, and loaded with chocolate and peanut butter candy pieces. They’re incredibly easy to make and perfect for a group… or just when those dessert cravings hit!

peanut butter cookie bars in a pan

Peanut Butter Lovers Cookie Bars

I love peanut butter, as you may have noticed given all the peanut butter recipes here on the blog. But I seriously can’t get enough! Today I’m adding to the extensive list these peanut butter cookie bars. They are everything you love in a peanut butter cookie but in bar form so they can accommodate all of the candy stuffed inside! We’ve got peanut butter cups, Butterfinger pieces, AND peanut butter M&Ms! You could even add some chocolate chips, heath bar pieces, or a chocolate drizzle over top to make them even more decadent. These crazy good bars only take about 20 minutes to prepare and bake for under half an hour. They stay fresh for a whole week so you can easily make a batch ahead of time or double the recipe for a party!

Go crazy for cookies with sweet treats like these super easy Cake Mix Cookie Bars or melt in your mouth Butterscotch Chip Cookies.

How To Make Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

  • Stir. In a small bowl, stir the flour and baking powder together until combined.
  • Whisk. In a larger mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Follow with the eggs and then the creamy peanut butter. Continue to whisk until fully incorporated.
  • Fold. Sprinkle in the flour mixture and stir until just combined. Gently fold in ¾ of the peanut butter cups, Butterfinger chunks, and M&Ms. 
  • Spread. Scoop the dough into the lined baking sheet and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining peanut butter cups, Butterfinger chunks, and M&Ms on top, lightly pressing them into the dough.
four panel collage image showing how to make peanut butter lover's cookie bars

Storing Peanut Butter Lovers Cookie Bars

One of the best things about these cookie bars is that the leftovers will stay fresh for a whole week! Just keep them in an airtight container on the counter at room temperature. Perfect for making ahead of time!

Ingredients Notes for Peanut Butter Lovers Cookie Bars

  • Flour – Sift or whisk your flour to get rid of any clumps before mixing. While I haven’t tested it myself, you could try this recipe with gluten free flour as opposed to all purpose. 
  • Baking Powder – The baking powder will help these cookie bars rise while keeping them light and fluffy. 
  • Butter – Just enough to elevate the flavors in the sugars as well as the peanut butter.
  • Brown Sugar – Light or dark brown sugar works just fine!
  • Eggs – 2 large. Let them reach room temperature for easier mixing.
  • Peanut Butter – You can use whatever brand of creamy peanut butter you prefer. I will say, avoid natural peanut butter as the oils can make these bars come out too greasy.
  • Candy Additions – You’ll need chopped peanut butter cups. Peanut M&Ms, and chopped butterfinger bars. Keep in mind the butterfinger chunks will harden as they cool so cut them up according to your own preference.
peanut butter cookie bars with candy

Enjoy!

~Nichole

No ratings yet

Peanut Butter Lover’s Cookie Bars

Peanut Butter Lovers Cookie Bars are soft, chewy, and loaded with chocolate and peanut butter candy pieces. They’re incredibly easy to make and perfect for a group… or just when those dessert cravings hit!
Prep 20 minutes
Cook 20 minutes
Total 40 minutes
Servings 12 Bars

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside for later.
  • Stir the flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl.
  • Whisk the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large bowl then whisk in the eggs, followed by the peanut butter.
  • Fold in the flour just until combined then fold in ¾ of the peanut butter cups, Butterfinger bars, and M&Ms.
  • Spread the dough in the prepared pan then lightly press the remaining chopped peanut butter cups, Butterfinger pieces, and M&Ms on top.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top is no longer wet and the edges are crispy and brown.
  • Let them cool for 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1Bar, Calories: 380kcal

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Like this? Rate & review this recipe below!

Hey! Nice to meet you! I'm Nichole!

Welcome to The Salty Marshmallow! I'm a mom, animal lover, photographer, & kitchen mess-maker. Here you will find the result of my decades-long passion for chasing the best flavors in the kitchen, all meant to be cooked by regular people with busy lives just like you and me.

Related Recipes

Rate & Review!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




2 Comments

  1. Hi Nichole,
    In your recipe ingredients list you have an asterisk next to 1-2 Butterfinger Bars chopped*

    Is there a note I a missing? My adult son is a peanut butter LOVER and I can’t wait to bake these for him.

    Thanks!

    1. Hi! Yes, the asterisk should go along with a note that the butterfinger bars will harden a bit upon cooling, so chop them as large or small as you like based on that. Thanks for letting me know that was missing. I hope you and your son enjoy 🙂