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These 5 Ingredient Triple Decker Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars are like a homemade peanut butter cup, but in bar form. A thick milk chocolate base, layered with a sweet and super creamy peanut butter filling, then covered entirely by another thick layer of milk chocolate. So much better than overly sugary store-bought peanut butter cups. And the best part? These are SO easy to make. They call for only 5 pantry staple ingredients and require zero baking. You cannot go wrong with this triple decker chocolate peanut butter bar. Nothing not love.
Happy Friday everyone! I have to say, this time leading up to and in between Christmas and the New Year truly is the best. Everything is laid back with relaxed holiday vibes. We have most of our family here through New Years and even though I’m working today, it’s nice to have everyone around…and so many people to cook for. I know I say this often, but the reason I love to cook is because I love to cook for others. I love being in the kitchen while the family hangs out. It’s where I find myself most comfortable (probably because I can’t sit still…I get antsy quick).
Anyway, I hope you’re all soaking up these slower days with family and friends. Today I have the best, super easy dessert to share. I’ll be keeping the posts on the shorter side through New Year’s Day. Then back to my regular ramblings (aside from Sunday Favorites post, of course) after the New Year!
Onto all the delicious details of these EASY chocolate peanut butter bars.
How to make these easiest chocolate peanut bars.
This is a recipe that I made years and years ago, but completely forget about it. It’s obviously no secret that I love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter (see these cookies and this cake), but the simplicity of these bars is just SO GOOD.
Let me break the bars down layer by layer…
The first layer, sweet milk chocolate.
Layer two, light and extra creamy peanut butter (that is perfectly sweet, buttery, and a touch salty too).
Layer three, sweet milk chocolate.
So incredibly simple. So incredibly GOOD.
The secrets?
The two thick layers of chocolate and the extra thick layer of creamy peanut butter.
For the chocolate layers, the key is to melt the chocolate together with a spoonful of peanut butter. This keeps the chocolate from cracking when you go to cut through the bars. Why does this matter? Well, the peanut butter filling is so light and creamy that if the chocolate was difficult to cut through, the filling would just squeeze right out of the center.
Still good, but obviously not ideal.
As for the filling, it’s very simple. Peanut butter, salted butter, vanilla, and confectioners’ sugar. The key? Whip the peanut butter and butter until light and fluffy, then add the vanilla and sugar. This gives you a “whipped” peanut butter filling, and trust me, it’s insanely delicious.
My biggest tip? Keep the bars chilled. They will soften at room temperature and be a little messy to eat, so enjoy these straight out of the fridge.
To sum this dessert up real quick, these bars are similar to a giant peanut butter cup. But so much better because the chocolate to peanut butter ratio is perfect…just the right amounts of chocolate to peanut butter.
I’ll be making these bars for New Year’s Eve this year, they are so simple. They aren’t all that fancy, but that doesn’t seem to matter. People just cannot get enough of these bars.
Sometimes simple is best, and these bars will be the perfect sweet dessert to ring in the New Year…and new decade for that matter!
If you make these 5 ingredient triple decker chocolate peanut butter bars, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
5 Ingredient Triple Decker Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Servings: 16 bars
Calories Per Serving: 277 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups + 4 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1-2 cups confectioners sugar using more or less to your taste
- 3 cups semi sweet or milk chocolate chips
Instructions
- 1. Line an 8x8 inch square pan with parchment paper.2. In a small bowl, melt together 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips and 2 tablespoon peanut butter in the microwave until melted. Pour the chocolate into the prepared pan and tap against the counter until the chocolate is in an even layer. Transfer to the freezer for 15 minutes to set. 3. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter, vanilla, and 1 cup confectioners' sugar until smooth and creamy. Taste and add more confectioners' sugar to your liking.4. Spoon the peanut butter mixture over the chocolate layer into a smooth layer. Transfer to the freezer for 15 minutes to set. 5. Melt the remaining 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips and 2 tablespoon peanut butter in the microwave until melted. Pour the chocolate over the peanut butter layer, smooth the chocolate out into an even layer. Cover and place in the fridge for 1 hour or until set. Slice into bars (see tip below). Keep bars stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Notes
Tip For Cutting: First, make sure the bars are really cold and the filling is completely set. I'd recommend freezing the bars for 15 minutes to really give them a good chill. Then, run a really sharp chef's knife under hot water, quickly dry the knife off and then cut into bars.
These are so delicious! I used half chocolate chips and half butterscotch chips since that is what I had on hand. Worked well together!
Hey Jeffrey,
Fantastic! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Happy New Year!? xxT
Dark chocolate chips work great in this recipe!
Good to know! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂 xTieghan
This were absolutely excellent!
Thank you for a great recipe.
A big hit with all in the family.
Just follow the instructions completely for the best results.
Hi there! Thanks so much for trying out this recipe, so glad to hear it was enjoyed 🙂 xTieghan
These are amazing. Everyone I give them to, begs me to make more! That is a good thing as I could eat a whole pan at one time, so better than I get them out of the house ASAP!
Hey Chris,
Thank you so much for giving this recipe a try, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed! Have the best weekend☀️ xTieghan
Have you ever tried this with dark chocolate?
Hey Megan,
Dark chocolate will work well here. I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Made these in a mini muffin tin last night and they’re already almost gone!
Hey Brittany,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad you enjoyed them! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Can you freeze these?
Hey Julie,
Sure!! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
These taste just like buckeyes! I love how simple this was! I made it in a 8×13 casserole dish and it only made a slight difference with the thickness layers. Next time I’ll add a bit more chocolate to even it out!
Thank you so much Elena! I am so glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Hyy Tieghan
I’m Zoé and I am in Switzerland so my english might not be perfect, I still wanted ro leave you a comment. It’s been a litte time I discovered your blog and I’m absolutely in love with it!! Your recepies are simple, “honest” and delicious? I came to NY once and discovered the peanut-butter-cups, the ones I juste made are still in the freezer now I can’t wait to try them…
Greetings from Switzerland!!
Hi Zoé! I hope you are doing well! I am so glad you have been enjoying my recipes and blog! I hope you continue to! xTieghan
Love the recipe, I want to make
I hope you do! Thank you so much Bianca! xTieghan
These photos are SENSUAL HONEYYY!!!!!!! YOU DID THAT!!
Thank you Alisha!! xTieghan
Can you use honey instead of the sugar?
Hi Saya, Honey will leave you with too runny of a peanut butter mix. I would not recommend using honey. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
Looks like a great recipe. It would be nice if you posted the weights as well as the measurements. Using weights is SO much better and easier.
Thank you Fino! I will try to start! xTieghan
Hello,
This dessert looks awesome, love chocolate and peanut butter.
Thanks for sharing
Thank you! I hope you love this! xTieghan