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Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookie Bars with Sweet Surprises

Indulge in these Peanut Butter Cookie Bars, filled with chocolate and M&M's for a delightful dessert.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 24 minutes
Cooling Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 9 minutes
Course Desserts
Cuisine American
Servings 16 bars
Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

  • 9 x 13 inch baking pan
  • mixing bowl
  • whisk
  • spatula
  • parchment paper

Ingredients
  

For the Bars

  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled
  • ¾ cup creamy peanut butter well-stirred
  • 1 cup light brown sugar packed
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt

For the Mix-ins

  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup white chocolate chips
  • ¾ to 1 cup Valentine-colored M&M’s
  • 2 tablespoons Valentine sprinkles

For the Drizzle (Optional)

  • ½ cup white chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon neutral oil

Final Touches

  • flaky sea salt for sprinkling on top

Instructions
 

Step-by-Step Instructions

  • Prepare the pan by lightly greasing a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with butter or nonstick spray and lining with parchment paper.
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Combine the wet ingredients by whisking together melted butter and creamy peanut butter until smooth, then adding sugars, eggs, and vanilla extract.
  • Mix the dry ingredients by whisking together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt in a separate bowl.
  • Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
  • Fold in semi-sweet and white chocolate chips.
  • Press the dough into the prepared pan evenly.
  • Add Valentine candies and sprinkles on top of the dough.
  • Bake for 18 to 24 minutes, checking for doneness at 18 minutes.
  • Press reserved M&M’s into bars after baking, and sprinkle flaky sea salt on top if desired.
  • Cool the bars in the pan for 1 to 1½ hours before slicing.
  • Optionally drizzle with melted white chocolate.
  • Slice and serve using parchment overhang for easy removal.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate/freeze for longer storage.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs for better mixing, don’t overmix the batter, and try various mix-ins to personalize your bars.

Nutrition

Serving: 1barCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 4gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 200IUCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg
Keyword baking, cookies, Desserts, Peanut Butter Cookie Bars, sweet treats, valentine's day
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