These aren’t your ordinary cookie bars. Imagine a thick, chewy peanut butter cookie base topped with a layer of rich chocolate ganache, then studded with chopped peanut butter cups. I created this recipe during a late-night craving when I couldn’t decide between cookies and candy – turns out, you can have both!

Why These Bars Are Special

The magic of these bars lies in their perfect balance of textures and flavors. The cookie base stays soft and chewy while the ganache adds a silky smoothness. Plus, they’re easier to make than individual cookies but look impressively fancy when sliced.

What You’ll Need

Ingredients

For the Cookie Base:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Layer:

• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 12 full-size peanut butter cups, chopped
• Flaky sea salt for sprinkling

Equipment

• 9×13 inch baking pan
• Parchment paper
• Stand mixer or hand mixer
• Medium saucepan
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Offset spatula

Creating the Magic

Step 1: Prep Work

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line your baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides. This makes removing and cutting the bars much easier.

Step 2: Mix the Cookie Base

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. In your stand mixer, cream together butter, peanut butter, and both sugars until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla. Gradually mix in dry ingredients until just combined.

Step 3: First Bake

Press the dough evenly into your prepared pan. The dough will be thick – use an offset spatula or the back of a measuring cup to smooth it out. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden but the center is still slightly soft.

Step 4: Make the Ganache

While the base is cooling, make your ganache. Heat heavy cream in a saucepan until just simmering. Pour over chocolate chips in a bowl and let sit for 2 minutes. Stir until smooth and glossy.

Step 5: Layer and Top

Pour the warm ganache over the cooled cookie base. Sprinkle with chopped peanut butter cups and a light dusting of flaky sea salt. Refrigerate until the chocolate is set, about 2 hours.

Pro Tips for Success

• Use room temperature ingredients for the best texture
• Don’t overbake the cookie base – slightly underdone is better
• Let the bars come to room temperature before cutting
• Use a hot knife for clean cuts through the ganache

Delicious Variations

Nutty Version

Add 1 cup chopped peanuts to the cookie base for extra crunch.

Triple Chocolate

Use chocolate peanut butter cups and add cocoa powder to the cookie base.

Salted Caramel

Drizzle with caramel sauce before adding the peanut butter cups.

Perfect for Every Occasion

These bars are incredibly versatile. They’re fancy enough for dinner parties but casual enough for lunch boxes. They travel well, making them perfect for:

• Bake sales
• Holiday cookie exchanges
• Potlucks
• Care packages
• After-school treats

Store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. They also freeze beautifully – wrap well and freeze for up to 3 months.

The combination of peanut butter and chocolate is always a crowd-pleaser, but these bars take it to the next level. The cookie base is substantial enough to hold up to the rich ganache, while the chopped peanut butter cups add both texture and extra flavor.

Remember that patience is key with this recipe – letting the ganache set properly makes all the difference in presentation. But don’t worry if they’re not perfect; they’ll still taste amazing!

I’d love to hear how yours turn out! Did you try any of the variations? Create your own twist? Share your experience in the comments below. And don’t be surprised if these become your new go-to dessert – they have a way of stealing the show at any gathering!

Pro Tip: Keep a few in the freezer for emergencies. You never know when a chocolate-peanut butter craving will strike!