Description
Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars are a no-bake, easy-to-make treat featuring a buttery, peanut butter and graham cracker crumb base topped with a smooth layer of melted semi-sweet chocolate. Perfect for an effortless dessert or snack that requires minimal prep and no oven time.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
Topping
- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips (melted)
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Line an 8×8 inch baking dish with foil, leaving some overhang on the sides to make it easier to lift the bars out once set.
- Melt the butter: In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter until fully liquid, usually about 30-45 seconds.
- Combine base ingredients: Add the powdered sugar, graham cracker crumbs, and creamy peanut butter to the melted butter in the bowl. Stir thoroughly to create an even, firm mixture.
- Press mixture into pan: Spread the peanut butter base mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, pressing down firmly to form a compact layer.
- Melt chocolate topping: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until completely smooth and silky.
- Pour chocolate layer: Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter base and spread evenly to cover the entire surface.
- Chill to set: Refrigerate the pan for at least 1 hour or until the chocolate topping is firm to the touch.
- Slice and serve: Use the foil overhang to lift the set peanut butter bars from the dish. Carefully slice into 16 equal bars and serve.
Notes
- To easily cut the bars, chill them thoroughly before slicing to avoid the chocolate cracking.
- Substitute creamy peanut butter with natural or chunky peanut butter for variation in texture.
- Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and firmness.
- For a nut-free variation, swap peanut butter with sunflower seed butter and use allergy-friendly chocolate chips.
