Ultimate Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars: A Decadent Homemade Delight for Chocolate & Peanut Butter Lovers
Indulge in the perfect blend of peanut butter and chocolate with these incredible Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars. Featuring a thick, chewy peanut butter brownie base, loaded with delightful peanut butter cups, generously topped with rich chocolate frosting, colorful Reese’s Pieces, and even more peanut butter cups, these bars are truly a peanut butter lover’s ultimate dream!
For those who adore the classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate, calling it an “obsession” might even be an understatement. My blog, for instance, is brimming with peanut butter recipes, a testament to this enduring culinary love affair. It sometimes feels like I single-handedly keep Reese’s in business, given how often their iconic candies find their way into my creations. From tantalizing peanut butter stuffed brownies to creamy pies, the versatility and deliciousness of peanut butter never ceases to amaze me.
Given my profound appreciation for all things peanut butter, it should come as no surprise that I’m thrilled to share this recipe for Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars. What sets these bars apart is the glorious trifecta of peanut butter goodness: we’ve got decadent peanut butter chips melted into the base, chunky peanut butter cups folded into the brownie, and a vibrant scattering of Reese’s Pieces on top. This triple threat of peanut butter flavor creates an unparalleled taste experience, making them even more indulgent than my popular Double Peanut Butter Bars. Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of creamy, crunchy, and utterly satisfying textures and flavors.
The Inspiration Behind These Irresistible Bars
The inspiration for these magnificent bars comes from my dear friend Jocelyn over at Inside BruCrew Life. If you haven’t had the pleasure of exploring her site, I wholeheartedly recommend you do! Jocelyn is a kindred spirit when it comes to a serious sweet tooth, and her recipes are always a delightful adventure. Just take a peek at her Thin Mint Cheesecake Brownie Cake – doesn’t it sound absolutely divine? Or her ingenious Peanut Butter Pie Parfaits, which I’ve had the distinct pleasure of tasting and can confirm are incredibly delicious. Jocelyn’s creativity in the kitchen, particularly with desserts, is truly inspiring, and her upcoming cheesecake cookbook is definitely something to look forward to!
Her approach to baking often involves simple yet incredibly effective methods, which is perfectly reflected in these peanut butter bars. It’s always wonderful to find recipes that deliver big on flavor without requiring complicated techniques or specialized equipment. This shared passion for approachable, irresistible desserts makes our culinary connection so special.
Crafting Your Own Reese’s Peanut Butter Bar Masterpiece
Now, let’s get back to these show-stopping Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars. One of the best aspects of this recipe is its simplicity. You won’t need a stand mixer or even a hand mixer to whip these up; just a trusty bowl, a spatula, a whisk, and your oven. The process begins with melting butter and peanut butter chips together until smooth and fragrant, then incorporating the sugars. This ensures a wonderfully rich and cohesive base. While that mixture cools slightly, you’ll whisk eggs and vanilla until frothy. The key here is to slowly stream the warm peanut butter mixture into the eggs while whisking constantly. This gentle incorporation prevents the eggs from scrambling, creating a smooth and luscious batter.
Once the base is perfectly blended, you’ll fold in the flour and salt, followed by a generous amount of chopped mini peanut butter cups. These morsels melt slightly during baking, creating pockets of gooey peanut butter bliss throughout the chewy brownie. Spread the batter evenly into your prepared baking pan, lined with parchment paper for easy removal, and bake until just set. The aroma filling your kitchen will be utterly intoxicating!
The Perfect Chocolate Frosting
No Reese’s Peanut Butter Bar is complete without a luscious layer of chocolate. This recipe includes instructions for an easy homemade chocolate frosting, which I highly recommend. It’s rich, creamy, and provides the perfect counterpoint to the sweet, nutty bars. However, if time is of the essence or you simply prefer convenience, don’t hesitate to reach for your favorite store-bought chocolate frosting. The bars will still be incredibly delicious, and sometimes, a little help from the store is exactly what you need to make a dessert dream come true.
The frosting comes together effortlessly by combining softened butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla extract. You’ll beat these ingredients until they reach a smooth, spreadable consistency, adjusting the milk as needed to get it just right. Once your bars are completely cooled – a crucial step for clean frosting application – spread this decadent chocolate layer over the top. The final flourish? A generous sprinkling of colorful Reese’s Pieces and more chopped peanut butter cups, because truly, can you ever have too much peanut butter and chocolate?
Tips for Success and Serving Suggestions
To ensure your Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars turn out perfectly every time, here are a few extra tips:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: While the butter and peanut butter chips are melted, ensuring your eggs are at room temperature helps them incorporate more smoothly into the batter, leading to a lighter, more even texture.
- Don’t Overbake: Peanut butter brownies, like chocolate brownies, benefit from being slightly underbaked. This keeps them wonderfully chewy and moist. Watch for the edges to be set and a slight wobble in the center.
- Cool Completely: Patience is key! Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting. If you frost them while warm, the frosting will melt, and you’ll end up with a messy, albeit still delicious, dessert. Chilling them in the refrigerator for a short period after they’ve cooled on the counter can also help set them up for easier cutting.
- Storage: Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. They can also be frozen for longer storage; just thaw them at room temperature before serving.
These bars are perfect for any occasion, whether you’re bringing them to a potluck, serving them at a party, or simply treating yourself and your family. They pair wonderfully with a tall, cold glass of milk, a hot cup of coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat. Their vibrant colors and irresistible flavor make them a definite crowd-pleaser.
So, if you know someone in your life who has an undeniable passion for peanut butter and chocolate – and if I had to guess, I’d say that someone is probably you – then you absolutely need to make these Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars soon! They are incredibly easy to make, yet deliver a sophisticated and deeply satisfying dessert experience. Prepare for rave reviews!
Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups peanut butter chips
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 whole large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mini peanut butter cups, , halved
Frosting
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 4 Tablespoons milk, (adjust if necessary)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
Topping
- 1/3 cup mini reeses pieces
- 1/2 cup peanut butter cups, , chopped
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 13×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out later. Alternatively, grease the pan very well. Set aside.
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In a small saucepan, gently melt together the butter and peanut butter chips over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until smooth and fully combined. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in the light brown sugar and granulated sugar until dissolved and smooth. Allow this mixture to cool slightly for a few minutes.
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Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, whisk the large eggs and vanilla extract vigorously until the mixture is light and frothy.
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Slowly and steadily pour the slightly cooled peanut butter and butter mixture into the egg mixture while continuously whisking. This slow addition and constant whisking prevent the eggs from cooking and ensures a smooth batter.
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Add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the 1 cup of halved mini peanut butter cups until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
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Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly with a spatula.
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Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, indicating they are just set but still wonderfully chewy.
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Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely on a wire rack before proceeding with the frosting. This step is essential for the frosting to set properly.
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To make the frosting: In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, and 4 tablespoons of milk. Beat with an electric mixer (or whisk vigorously by hand) until smooth and creamy. Add more milk, one teaspoon at a time, if a thinner, more spreadable consistency is desired.
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Once the peanut butter bars are completely cooled, spread the chocolate frosting evenly over the top. Immediately sprinkle with the mini Reese’s Pieces and the remaining 1/2 cup of chopped peanut butter cups for a delightful visual and textural finish. Slice and serve!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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