Make Some Easy Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

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A No-Bake Sweet And Salty Treat You'll Love

Ritz crackers add special magic to these no-bake peanut butter chocolate bars. We all know how a touch of salt can send something sweet over the top! When you use Ritz crackers in this recipe, the hint of salt plays perfectly with the peanut butter & chocolate, making them taste amazing!

They taste like peanut butter cups! Or, think back to a favorite Christmas cookie. Ritz crackers sandwiched with peanut butter and dipped in chocolate almond bark. You know the one, they are addictive! Now imagine that taste and texture with a fraction of the work. It's right here, folks.

How To Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

The base for these yummy bars starts with two cups of Ritz cracker crumbs. You will need about fifty Ritz crackers. The easiest way to make the crumbs is in a food processor, or you can crush the crackers in a zipper bag with a rolling pin.

Now melt the butter and blend it with the peanut butter until smooth and melty. In my opinion, there is no better peanut butter than Jif peanut butter!

Next, beat in the powdered sugar and the Ritz cracker crumbs.

Spread that mixture evenly in a thirteen-by-nine-inch pan. Oh my goodness, the peanut butter layer is so buttery and sweet, with just a hint of salty crunch from the Ritz crackers! Does it get any better than this?

Wait. Yes, it does!

Add The Amazing Chocolate Peanut Butter Topping

Put the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and cook on high for thirty seconds, stirring. Add the peanut butter and stir again.

Repeat in thirty-second increments until the chocolate and peanut butter are melted together and no lumps remain.

Pour the chocolate and peanut butter topping on the base as soon as it is ready. Don't chill the peanut butter and cracker mixture. The warm chocolate will spread smoothly on the base, and the layers will stick together nicely when you do it this way. I may or may not have discovered this by accident. Don't be Betty, just sayin'. 

Put your tasty, no-bake peanut butter chocolate bars in the refrigerator to cool for about two hours. They will be firm enough to cut into squares. I suggest you console yourself for the wait by licking both bowls!

After the torturously long wait, cut your no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars into individual squares to serve. These bars are very rich, and a small portion can be very satisfying, so I cut our pan into 35 pieces.

You may want to cut yours bigger, but it is taking every bit of willpower I have to stay out of these amazing treats! I covered them tightly and put them in the spare refrigerator in the basement as a deterrent. At least I get some steps in when I succumb to temptation.

These yummy, no-bake peanut butter chocolate bars should be tightly wrapped or covered and stored in the refrigerator to keep them firm for serving. They will also freeze well. (which I may have to do to protect me from ME!)

Wrap or cover these goodies tightly; they will keep beautifully in the freezer for two months or more. If needed, separate layers with parchment paper or wax paper.

You might try using graham crackers or pretzels in the base for a different twist—sometimes, a girl needs to use what's in the cupboard! 😉 While the chocolate topping is still soft, you might add crushed peanuts, sprinkles, or even flaky sea salt for a bit of extra yum!

PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD

Yield: 35 squares

No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

Print

A delicious no-bake bar cookie that will remind you of peanut butter cups or the dipped Ritz cracker cookies popular at Christmas!

Ingredients

• PEANUT BUTTER LAYER
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup salted butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 cups Ritz cracker crumbs (you will need about 50 crackers)
• CHOCOLATE TOPPING
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

Instructions

1. Crush the crackers in a food processor or a zipper bag with a rolling pin.
2. Put the butter in a microwave-safe mixing bowl and melt it in the microwave for about thirty seconds.
3. Add the peanut butter and microwave for another thirty seconds. Stir until smooth and blended.
4. Add the powdered sugar.
5. Use an electric mixer to beat them together until the mixture is smooth.
6. Add the Ritz crumbs to the peanut butter mixture and beat until well combined.
7. Spread the peanut butter mixture evenly in a 9" by 13" pan.
8. Put the chocolate chips and peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl and cook on high in 30-second bursts, stirring in between.
9. Stir until the chocolate and peanut butter are thoroughly blended.
10. Pour the chocolate mixture over the bars and spread evenly to the edge.
11. Chill until firm enough to cut, about 2 hours.
12. Cut into bars the size you want.

Notes

If desired, add chopped peanuts, cracker crumbs, or a small amount of flaky sea salt before the chocolate topping sets.

We are crazy about candy and love it most when it's homemade and easy. Here are some of my most popular homemade candy recipes: Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls, Fantasy Fudge,  and Chocolate-Covered Coconut Balls.

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Love, GB (Betty Streff)

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