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Side view showing the contrast between the smooth top and dense base.

No-Bake Peanut Butter Cup Bars

These No-Bake Peanut Butter Cup Bars feature a smooth peanut butter-graham base topped with rich melted chocolate. Simple to prepare and utterly indulgent—perfect for effortless dessert cravings or make-ahead treats.
Servings

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup smooth peanut butter not natural-style
  • ¾ cup graham cracker crumbs
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter for chocolate topping
  • ½ cup milk chocolate chips

Instructions
 

Prepare the Baking Dish

  1. Lightly butter the bottom and sides of an 8×8-inch square pan. Line the pan with a piece of parchment paper, allowing the paper to overhang two opposing sides. This overhang will assist with removing the bars once set. Butter the parchment as well for ease of removal.

Prepare the Peanut Butter Layer

  1. In a medium saucepan, melt ½ cup of unsalted butter over low heat. Once melted, remove from heat and whisk in the powdered sugar until fully incorporated and smooth. Add the peanut butter and graham cracker crumbs. Stir until the mixture is homogenous and smooth. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly using a spatula or the back of a spoon.

Prepare the Chocolate Topping

  1. In the same saucepan (wiped clean if necessary), melt ¼ cup of unsalted butter over low heat. Add the milk chocolate chips and stir continuously until nearly melted. Remove from heat and continue stirring until the mixture becomes completely smooth and glossy. Pour this mixture over the peanut butter layer, spreading evenly to form a smooth top layer.

Chill and Slice

  1. Refrigerate the assembled bars for at least 30 minutes, or until the chocolate layer is firm to the touch. Once chilled, remove the bars from the pan using the parchment overhang and transfer to a cutting board. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice into 16 equal squares. Serve chilled or allow to rest at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the graham cracker crumbs with a certified gluten-free alternative such as gluten-free graham crackers, digestive biscuits, or a mixture of almond flour and crushed gluten-free pretzels. Ensure the chocolate chips used are labeled gluten-free, as cross-contamination is possible in some brands.
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