Homemade Peanut Butter Cup Bars are a no-bake, four-ingredient, gluten-free alternative to the packaged version. So easy, fast, and incredibly tasty!
The combination of peanut butter and chocolate is downright irresistible. At least it is to J and me and, based on the number of people who love store-bought peanut butter cups, we’re just two of millions. I started making a homemade version several years ago. They were rich and smooth and one of the best things we’d ever eaten. Making them, drizzling the melted chocolate into individual muffin liners, was a little tedious, though.
More than a year ago, I had the brilliant idea to make the recipe into bars, to skip the cupcake liners and use a sheet pan instead. Best. Idea. Ever. Now, a recipe that was already impossible to resist is also sinfully simple to make. These homemade peanut butter cup bars are just as good as the homemade peanut butter cups, but they come together so much more quickly. Bonus: they’re gluten free!
Homemade Peanut Butter Cup Bars
Ingredients
3 cups chocolate chips, divided (about a bag and a half)
2 cups plus two tablespoons peanut butter, divided
1 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
Melt half of the chocolate with a tablespoon of peanut butter, either in the microwave or on the stove using a double boiler. On a cookie sheet lined with parchment or wax paper, spread the melted chocolate into an even layer. Put the pan in the freezer for ten minutes.
Meanwhile, mix two cups of peanut butter with the vanilla extract, then mix in the powdered sugar. Melt the remaining chocolate with the remaining peanut butter. Remove the first layer of chocolate from the freezer and spread the peanut butter on top. Smooth the rest of the chocolate over that and return to the freezer for ten more minutes. Cut into bars and enjoy!
Notes
You can certainly melt all of the chocolate at once and then just spread half on the tray, but I didn’t want to be that careful about using only half.
These bars are easiest to cut after sitting out of the freezer for a few minutes. Also, you could easily substitute a package of chocolate bark (also gluten free) for the chocolate chips, you just won’t get as rich of a chocolate flavor.
These bars sound totally amazing! If you had a spare moment, I would be delighted if you’d drop this (and anything else you’d like to share) by at the #PureBlogLove anything goes link party! You can find me here: http://picnicnz.blogspot.co.nz/
Thank you for invite! I just linked up.
I’m visiting from the PureBlogLove link party – so glad you linked up, because I need these.
I think they’d make an excellent Valentine’s Day treat for my family. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe. Pinning!
Thank you for the kind words! I think everyone needs these. And yes, nothing says “I love you” like chocolate and peanut butter!
I love chocolate and peanut butter combinations. These bars are right up my alley. Thank you for joining us at #purebloglove. We enjoy having you every Thursday at 8PM, EST through Sunday night. ~Cydnee
Thank you! I’m sure I’ll be back 🙂
These sound delicious! I think I need to make these so I have a stash for my pregnancy cravings!
Yes, you do! Mama needs protein from the peanut butter 🙂 I haven’t tried, but I don’t see why they wouldn’t freeze well.
Peanut butter cups are seriously my favorite thing ever…so I’m completely sold on these!! Can’t wait to try them soon….I’m eating for two right? HA! Sharing!!
You’re totally eating for two, and you need protein. 🙂
Oh and SWOON! Hellooooo delicious! I am pretty much cat-calling these peanut butter cup bars lol!
No judgement here! They’re THAT good.
This looks delish. Thanks for the inspo. I was trying to figure out what I should bring to my girlfriend’s Halloween party. 🙂
Glad I could help! These will definitely be a hit.
These look SO amazing!! I’m obsessed with Reeses – so I can only imagine how much I’d love these! They look amazing!!
Thanks, Adriana! You’d LOVE these!
Yum! I’ll have to make a pan to use for Christmas gifts. If I don’t give them I’ll end up eating them all myself!
Thanks, Amanda! They’d be a hit, and they’re gluten free!
These make me feel like a child again! LOVE these:)
What a fun compliment. Thanks, Tina!
These look amazing. I love love love peanut butter. Yum!
Right? Who doesn’t, especially with chocolate?
These are going to make my family so happy. 😀 Can’t wait to try them!!! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
You’re welcome, Betsy! Let me know what they think!
Yum! Great idea to make it faster and easier by making them into bars instead!
Thanks, Kim! Bars are my new favorite thing. They’re SO easy.
These look dangerous! Like eat them in one sitting dangerous!
YES! They should definitely come with a warning.
Peanut butter cups are my weakness!! Love this homemade version!
Mine, too! They’re SO good!
Peanut butter and chocolate are my total weakness – I love how easy these bars are!
Mine, too Fiona! It’s an irresistible combination!
I love the idea of making these into bars!
What type of peanut butter do you like using?
Thanks, Michelle! I use whatever smooth peanut butter I have on hand, which is usually Jif. You could use crunchy if you prefer.