5-Ingredient No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars Are Creamy and Delicious

Photo byDeliciously Sprinkled

These no-bake peanut butter bars are easy to make and taste like peanut butter cups. You only need 5 ingredients: graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, butter, peanut butter and chocolate chips. The result: a creamy peanut butter base with a silky chocolate topping.

The recipe is also budget-friendly. I picked up the powdered sugar and graham crackers at the dollar store then bought Wal-Mart peanut butter and a bag of mini-chocolate chips for a couple dollars each (for some reason, the mini-chocolate chips were cheaper than the regular size). I substituted margarine for butter, so that cut down costs as well. While you can buy a version of these bars as a mix, this recipe makes more, tastes better and doesn't have any unpronounceable additives.

This is a great dessert to make with kids because you don't need to use the oven. It's the perfect addition for cook-outs, barbecues, potlucks and family get-togethers.

No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

Ingredients

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

2 cups powdered sugar

1 cup butter or margarine, melted

1 cup + 4 tablespoons peanut butter

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Mix together graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, butter, and 1 cup peanut butter in a medium bowl until well-blended.

2. Press evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13-inch pan.

3. Place chocolate chips and 4 tablespoons peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high, stirring every 15 seconds, until smooth. Spread mixture over crust.

4. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before cutting into 12 squares.

Notes

If you have the time I recommend letting these bars solidify in the refrigerator for more like 3 hours. They were ready after an hour but the chocolate wasn't quite set. The next morning they were perfect.

I don't have the patience for microwaves and 15-second intervals. I just melted mini-chocolate chips and peanut butter on low heat on the stove. It only takes a few minutes: just keep the heat low and stir constantly to avoid scorching the chocolate.

I recommend using an electric mixer rather than trying to stir by hand because of the peanut butter.

I also recommend using a food processor to process the graham crackers if you buy them whole. This will give you a smoother texture for the peanut butter base.

To make bars look prettier, top with chopped peanuts or sea salt flakes.