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Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars

These homemade bars combine creamy peanut butter, chocolate chips, oats, and honey to create a comforting, chewy treat. The process involves melting, mixing, pressing, and baking, resulting in golden-brown bars with gooey pockets of chocolate and a satisfying texture. Perfect for a nostalgic, therapeutic snack that’s simple to make and irresistibly delicious.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 17 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup butter unsalted preferred
  • 1 cup peanut butter creamy or crunchy
  • 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups rolled oats old-fashioned preferred
  • 1 cup chocolate chips semi-sweet or dark
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Equipment

  • 8x8 inch square pan
  • Microwave-safe bowl
  • Spatula
  • Parchment paper
  • Cooling rack

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line the 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and peanut butter together in short bursts, about 1-2 minutes, stirring until smooth and fragrant. The mixture should be warm and creamy.
  3. Stir in the honey and vanilla extract into the warm mixture until fully combined and aromatic. This creates a sticky, fragrant base.
  4. Add the rolled oats, salt, and stir well until the oats are evenly coated and the mixture becomes thick and sticky.
  5. Fold in the chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture, which now has a chewy, glossy appearance.
  6. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press it firmly into an even layer with a spatula, smoothing the top as you go. This helps the bars hold together nicely.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 15–17 minutes, until the edges turn golden brown and the center looks set but still slightly soft.
  8. Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes, until slightly firm but still warm.
  9. Using the parchment overhang, lift the bars out of the pan and place them on a cooling rack to cool completely.
  10. Once cooled, cut into squares or rectangles about 1.5 inches wide. For a chewier texture, refrigerate the bars for 30 minutes before serving.
  11. Enjoy these bars as a comforting treat with a glass of milk or your favorite beverage, savoring the chewy, gooey pockets of chocolate and nutty peanut butter flavor.

Notes

For added variety, toss in chopped nuts or dried fruit before pressing into the pan. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage. Reheat slightly for a softer, melty experience.