No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie Bars
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What is a great way to make an easy no-bake dessert in a hurry? Make these Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookie Bars! They are a timeless no-bake cookie recipe, turned easy cookie bar full of those peanut butter and chocolate flavors we all love. They are so good, that you might want to consider making a double batch!
These no-bake cookie bars are just the best, not only are they a treat to eat but a treat to make. I simply love whipping up no bake bar recipes for their ease of preparation and rich taste; guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth. You won’t be disappointed with these no bake chocolate peanut butter bars with oatmeal that have a little crunch and a deep flavor.
We love no-bake desserts! Here are two more family favorites: Classic Nanaimo Bar recipe and No Bake Fruit Tart.
I find no-bake bar recipes are way easier than no-bake cookies as there is no scooping and shaping required. Really, this no-bake cookie bar recipe has to be one of the easiest no-bake desserts around! It travels well and keeps well at room temperature so give it a try.
No-Bake Cookie Bars
The original recipe, that I found in an old church cookbook from the 1970s, was actually for no-bake cookies. I thought I would take easy one step further and turn them into cookie bars, a fun twist on the original.
My idea worked out perfectly! The best part about this recipe (besides how yummy they are) is that they are perfect for dessert, snacks, lunch box treats, or even a bake sale goodie. So versatile!
What makes no-bake cookies harden?
No bake cookies and bars have ingredients that are sticky and/or naturally solid at room temperature so they harden on their own when left at room temperature. Boiling the mixture also reduces the moisture content so the batter thickens which also helps it to harden. Sometimes though no-bake cookies or bars need to be refrigerated or frozen to harden.
Ingredients Needed For No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar Recipe
This great recipe for peanut butter cookie bars uses simple ingredients you are bound to have on hand. This recipe is part of my repertoire of easy recipes. By that I mean those that I can make quickly when I am craving something sweet, something salty, and need a little crunch. I think everyone needs a no-bake cookie recipe in their recipe arsenal for just these reasons.
- Sugar – this recipe calls for granulated sugar, but using half granulated and half brown sugar is yummy, too!
- Cocoa – unsweetened cocoa powder is what you will need to make these no-bake chocolate oatmeal bars.
- Evaporated milk – Not to be confused with sweetened condensed milk this recipe uses evaporated milk.
- Butter – I used unsalted butter, but salted will work fine.
- Peanut butter – I prefer to use creamy peanut butter.
- Vanilla – pure vanilla extract is best but imitation will also work.
- Rolled oats – rolled oats or quick rolled oats are a must in this recipe. Do not substitute steel cut.
- Salted peanuts – Salted peanuts give a nice crunch and add to the sweet & salty appeal of these
How to make Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
In only 4 steps, with only a handful of ingredients and a little bit of effort, these no-bake bars are done in no time! That’s my kind of dessert!
First Step:
Line 8 X 8” square baking pan with parchment paper and lightly coat with butter. Set aside.
Second Step:
In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa, evaporated milk, and butter. Stir over medium heat until the mixture has bubbles all over the top. Boil and stir for 2 minutes more. Remove from heat.
Third Step:
Stir in peanut butter, vanilla, oatmeal, and peanuts and mix until melted and well combined.
Fourth Step:
Press the mixture tightly into the prepared baking dish.
Let it sit at room temperature until set, and cut into 9 squares.
Tip: these are rich cookie bars – many times I cut them into 16 squares to cut back on calories and they are the perfect little cookie bite!
How long do no-bake cookies last?
No-bake cookie bars will last a week or so in an airtight container on the kitchen counter. They will last longer if you place them in the fridge or even longer if you freeze them.
Love it? Pin it!
If you love this Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake recipe make sure that you don’t lose it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go!
FAQ About No-Bake Cookies
Why do my no-bake cookies turn out gooey?
Your cookies or bars may turn out gooey if you did not allow the mixture to boil long enough.
How long does it take for no-bake cookies to set?
No bake cookies should be set within 60 minutes or so but it also depends on the temperature and humidity level in your kitchen.
What can I substitute for peanut butter in these no-bake bars?
If you are preparing these bars for someone who has a peanut allergy you can substitute another type of nut or seed butter. Note the taste will obviously be different.
Tips & Tricks To Make No Bake Bars With Peanut Butter
- These bars keep nicely on the kitchen counter in an airtight container for about a week. If they can last that long. 🙂
- Take all the ingredients out and place them on the counter before you begin to prepare the recipe.
- Bring butter and peanut butter to room temperature before you start preparing.
More Dessert Recipes to Love
My website is packed full of dessert recipes – here are a few more no-bake desserts to fall in love with:
- No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie (pictured above)
- Popcorn Cake
- No-Bake Marshmallow Cheesecake
- Haystack Cookies
- Strawberry Icebox Cake
- Lemon Icebox Pie
I promise that you won’t be disappointed with these no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars with oatmeal!
The next time you need a quick treat, give these No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie Bars a try! Let’s get to the no-bake dessert recipe! 
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No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- ¼ cup cocoa
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- ⅓ cup butter
- ⅓ cup peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ cups quick rolled oats
- ½ cup salted peanuts
Instructions
- Line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper and lightly butter it. Set aside.
- In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa, milk, and butter. Stir over medium heat until the mixture has bubbles all over the top. Boil and stir for 2 minutes more. Remove from heat.
- Stir in peanut butter, vanilla, oatmeal, and peanuts until melted.
- Press mixture tightly into the prepared dish. Let it sit until set, and cut into 16 squares.
These look so good! I can’t wait to try the next time I have guests over!
These were really simple and really delicious! You can’t go wrong with chocolate, peanut butter, and oats! Yum!
Chocolate and peanut butter is my weakness. These look delicious.
I absolutely love how quick and easy these are to make. And they’re utterly delicious too!
These cookie bars were so good! I love that there is no baking needed!
I love no bake bars like this and you can’t beat a peanut butter chocolate combo!
Loved, loved, loved this recipe. I had all the ingredients on-hand and the bars were quick to whip up. I’ll make these again, thanks!
Happy that you loved them!
Incredible! I made these with my kids and they had fun both making and then eating them.
You had me at peanut butter and then you really got me at chocolate. Making these now for dessert.