5 Ingredient No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

Craving an irresistible dessert that requires zero baking?

Get ready to sink your teeth into decadent, no-bake peanut butter chocolate bars made with just a handful of ingredients, promising a treat that's both quick to create and impossible to resist.

Ingredients You'll Need

Let's get started; to make these awesome peanut butter chocolate bars, you're gonna need a few simple ingredients, and trust me, it's all stuff you might already have. The minimal ingredient list required here echos the simplicity of other delightful treats like 3-ingredient shortbread.

For the base, you're looking at half a cup – that's about 115 grams – of melted salted butter. I like using salted, but unsalted works too; just toss in a quarter teaspoon of salt. You'll also need a cup of crushed-up Arnott's Marie crackers—or even graham crackers, I won't judge! Then, a cup of icing sugar, because sweetness is key, and three-quarters of a cup of smooth peanut butter; gotta keep it creamy, ya know?

Now, for the topping, it's ridiculously easy: a cup of dark chocolate chips—go for the melting kind—and two tablespoons of smooth peanut butter. How easy is that?

Step-by-Step Instructions

Alright, I'll walk you through these bars step-by-step, so, from beginning to end, you'll know exactly what to do! First, butter and line an 8-inch square dish with baking paper – this is important, trust me!

Next, grab a bowl. Pop in your melted butter, crushed crackers (or graham cracker crumbs), icing sugar, and peanut butter. Mix it all until it's combined. These bars are sure to please any peanut butter lovers looking for a quick treat! Then, press it firmly into your prepared pan.

Now, for the glorious topping! Melt your dark chocolate chips and remaining peanut butter together, I like to do it in the microwave in 30-second bursts.

Pour that chocolate-peanut butter heaven over your base and spread it evenly. I like to smooth the top — that way, they look professional!

Finally, refrigerate until it's set, about an hour and a half should do it. Pop it out and cut into squares. Room temp is where it's at!

Tips for Success

To help you nail these 5-ingredient peanut butter chocolate bars, I've got some tips that I've learned along the way!

First, don't skimp on the chilling time! Seriously, about 1 1/2 hours in the fridge is key—patience, my friend! This prevents a gooey mess and guarantees a perfect cut.

Next, use the right chocolate—the melting kind! This will guarantee super smooth results.

Don't have Marie crackers? No worries! You can use graham crackers. Pulse them in a food processor or go wild with a ziplock bag and rolling pin; it's cheaper than therapy–trust me!

Lastly, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before slicing. This step makes cutting into perfect squares a breeze, I promise! Enjoy!

Variations to Try

I've got some awesome ideas for switching things up with these bars—think of it as turning a classic into something even more "you"! Let's explore some fun twists.

Want to add some extra oomph? Here are a few ideas:

Nuts: Chop up your favorite nuts—maybe peanuts, almonds, or pecans—and stir them into the base mixture!
Pretzel Pieces: Remember that gluten-free tip? Even if you aren't gluten-free, you can add pretzel pieces to the base for a salty-sweet kick!
Marshmallows: Throw mini marshmallows into the chocolate topping while it's still melted for Rocky Road vibes.

Don't be afraid to experiment, okay? I mean, it's kinda hard to go wrong with peanut butter and chocolate, isn't it? If you're feeling adventurous, try different extracts like vanilla or almond. Have fun with it!

Storing Your Bars

Now that we've explored how you can tweak these bars to match your taste, let's talk about keeping them fresh.

You can tuck these bars away in an airtight container, and they'll stay delightful for around 5 days! I know, they're so good they won't last that long!

If you're living in a super-hot climate – like, desert-level hot – I'd suggest popping them in the fridge. It'll keep them from getting melty! But, and this is important, serve 'em at room temperature. Trust me; that's when they taste their best. It's all about the perfect balance!

Don't want them sticking together? Layer parchment paper between them. It is an easy trick, and it works like a charm!