Peanut Butter Passion Bars Recipe for Sweet Lovers

Sweet memories collide with this peanut butter passion bar creation that sparks joy in every bite.

Layers of creamy goodness nestle between rich graham cracker bases, promising pure indulgence.

Childhood comfort meets gourmet delight in this simple yet stunning dessert.

Chocolate and peanut butter dance together, creating a symphony of flavors that mesmerize your taste buds.

Crumbly textures interplay with smooth fillings, making each square a miniature celebration.

Home bakers will adore how effortlessly these bars come together with minimal ingredients.

Treat yourself to a slice of happiness that guarantees smiles and second helpings.

Why Peanut Butter Passion Bars Are a Chocoholic’s Dream

• Super-quick dessert that takes less than 30 minutes of active preparation time.
• Guaranteed to satisfy sweet tooths with its rich combination of chocolate, peanut butter, and graham cracker crust.
• Requires zero oven time, making it perfect for hot summer days or when you want a hassle-free dessert.
• Simple recipe allows for personal twists like adding chopped nuts or using different chocolate varieties to match your mood.

Must-Have Ingredients for Peanut Butter Passion Bars

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: Classic cookie base that provides a rich, buttery foundation for the bars, offering delightful crunch and traditional flavor.
• Sugar: Sweetens the crust and balances the rich peanut butter flavor, enhancing overall taste.
• Butter: Helps bind the crust ingredients and adds richness, ensuring a smooth and compact base.

• Peanut Butter: Creamy central ingredient that delivers signature nutty flavor, choose natural or smooth variety for best texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates silky smooth filling and helps stabilize peanut butter mixture, providing sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the peanut butter filling, select pure vanilla for best flavor.

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Provides rich chocolate layer, select high-quality chips for smooth melting and glossy finish.
• Butter (for chocolate): Helps create smooth, glossy chocolate topping and enhances melting properties.

How to Make Peanut Butter Passion Bars Like a Pro

Step 1: Craft the Crumbly Foundation

• Graham cracker crumbs
• Sugar
• Melted butter

Create a delectable base by mixing graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter in a medium bowl until the texture resembles damp beach sand. Press the mixture firmly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, using the back of a spoon to create a compact layer. Pop the crust into the refrigerator for a quick 15-20 minute chill to set its structure.

Step 2: Whip Up the Dreamy Peanut Butter Layer

• Peanut butter
• Powdered sugar
• Melted butter
• Vanilla extract

In a separate bowl, blend peanut butter, powdered sugar, melted butter, and vanilla extract until the mixture transforms into a silky-smooth consistency. Carefully spread this luscious layer over the chilled crust, ensuring an even coating with a gentle sweep of a spatula.

Step 3: Drench in Chocolate Decadence

• Semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Butter

Grab a microwave-safe bowl and gently melt chocolate chips with butter. Stir every 30 seconds to prevent burning, continuing until the mixture becomes glossy and completely liquid. Lovingly pour the molten chocolate over the peanut butter layer, using a spatula to create a perfectly even topping.

Step 4: Chill and Indulge

Slide the pan into the refrigerator and let the bars rest for at least 2 hours. This crucial waiting period allows the chocolate to set and the flavors to meld together. Once firm, slice into delectable squares and surrender to the ultimate taste adventure of creamy, crunchy, chocolatey bliss!

Tips to Get Peanut Butter Passion Bars Just Right

• Customize Crust Texture: Swap graham crackers with crushed digestive biscuits or gluten-free alternatives for different flavor profiles and dietary needs.
• Prevent Chocolate Seizing: Melt chocolate chips slowly and carefully, stirring frequently to ensure smooth, glossy chocolate topping without graininess.
• Balance Sweetness Levels: Reduce powdered sugar if using sweetened peanut butter, or choose natural peanut butter for a less sweet, more nutty taste.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Sprinkle sea salt flakes on top of chocolate layer to create a delightful sweet-salty contrast and elevate overall taste experience.
• Store Smart: Keep bars refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days, allowing flavors to meld and maintain optimal texture and freshness.

Keeping Peanut Butter Passion Bars Fresh and Tasty

• Store Peanut Butter Passion Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep layers separated with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Enjoy bars chilled or let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes for softer texture. Avoid microwaving, which can melt the chocolate and compromise the bar's structure.
• Always store bars away from strong-smelling foods to maintain their delicious peanut butter and chocolate flavor profile.

Perfect Pairings for Peanut Butter Passion Bars

• Dark, rich chocolate stout beer complements the peanut butter and chocolate flavors, creating a decadent flavor experience that enhances the dessert's richness.
• Classic cold milk provides a creamy, refreshing contrast to the sweet and dense bars, cutting through the rich chocolate and peanut butter with its cool, smooth texture.
• Strong espresso or cappuccino balances the dessert's sweetness, offering a robust coffee note that highlights the chocolate and peanut butter's deep, complex flavors.
• A warm salted caramel latte adds another layer of sweetness and complexity, echoing the dessert's indulgent profile while providing a comforting, aromatic beverage experience.

Ways to Mix Up Peanut Butter Passion Bars

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free graham crackers or crushed gluten-free cookies like almond flour or oat-based alternatives.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap butter with coconut oil, use dairy-free chocolate chips, and replace traditional peanut butter with natural almond or sunflower seed butter.
• Low-Sugar Option: Reduce powdered sugar and use monk fruit sweetener or stevia, substitute semi-sweet chocolate with dark chocolate with higher cocoa percentage for lower sugar content.
• Nut-Free Alternative: Replace peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or soy nut butter, ensuring safe consumption for those with nut allergies while maintaining similar creamy texture.

Peanut Butter Passion Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Dive into pure indulgence with these peanut butter passion bars, a heavenly dessert marrying rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter. Dessert enthusiasts will savor each luxurious bite, experiencing a perfect balance of sweet and nutty flavors that dance across the palate.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 package (17.5 ounces / 496 grams) peanut butter cookie mix
• 1 can (14 ounces / 397 grams) sweetened condensed milk
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup (170 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Binding Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (57 grams) melted butter
• 1 large egg

Topping Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (30 grams) chopped peanuts (optional)

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Instructions

1. Craft a crumbly foundation by blending graham cracker fragments with sugar and liquefied butter until the texture mimics damp sand.
2. Transfer the graham mixture into a prepared baking vessel, pressing firmly with a utensil to create a compact, even layer.
3. Allow the crust to stabilize in the refrigerator for approximately 15-20 minutes, ensuring a solid base.
4. Whisk together creamy peanut butter, powdered sweetener, melted butter, and vanilla extract until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
5. Gently spread the peanut butter mixture across the chilled crust, creating a smooth, even landscape.
6. Melt semi-sweet chocolate chips with butter in short microwave intervals, stirring between each session to prevent scorching.
7. Cascade the glossy, molten chocolate over the peanut butter layer, using a spatula to distribute evenly.
8. Refrigerate the entire creation for a minimum of two hours, allowing the chocolate to solidify completely.
9. Once set, slice into precise squares, revealing layers of decadent textures and rich flavors.
10. Serve and relish the harmonious blend of sweet, nutty, and chocolatey elements.

Notes

• Select gluten-free graham crackers to make the recipe celiac-friendly and accommodate wheat allergies.
• Use natural peanut butter with no added sugars for a healthier version that reduces overall sweetness.
• Swap regular butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free alternative that maintains the rich, creamy texture.
• Sprinkle sea salt or chopped roasted peanuts on top of the chocolate layer to enhance flavor complexity and add subtle crunch.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 270
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg