Ultimate Chewy Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars: A Nostalgic & Decadent Recipe
Few treats evoke childhood memories quite like a classic peanut butter bar. Many of us recall those perfectly moist, dense peanut bars from school cafeterias – a simple pleasure that satisfied every sweet craving. This recipe not only captures that cherished nostalgia but elevates it to an entirely new level of deliciousness. Forget dry, crumbly imitations; these are incredibly chewy, rich, and utterly irresistible. What makes them truly stand out, though, is the generous topping of beloved Reese’s candies and mini peanut butter cups, transforming a beloved classic into a truly decadent experience.
The Legacy of Peanut Buddy Bars: A Foundation for Greatness
The inspiration behind these extraordinary treats comes from the venerable “Buddy Bars” – a timeless recipe known for its simplicity and crowd-pleasing flavor. Traditionally, these bars feature a straightforward combination of peanut butter and milk chocolate chips. They are undeniably delicious in their own right, offering a comforting and familiar taste that has been enjoyed for generations. However, for those who believe in taking a good thing and making it even better, our version dares to ask: if you’re going to indulge in a peanut butter bar, why not go all out?
While the original Buddy Bars are a fantastic starting point, the addition of Reese’s Minis and Reese’s Pieces introduces a delightful complexity and textural variety that sets these bars apart. The creamy, dreamy mini peanut butter cups melt slightly into the warm bars, creating pockets of pure bliss, while the colorful Reese’s Pieces add a satisfying crunch and an extra burst of peanut butter flavor. It’s a celebration of all things peanut butter and chocolate, taking an already excellent recipe and pushing it into the realm of truly unforgettable.
This recipe is designed for both the nostalgic baker and the modern dessert enthusiast. It’s simple enough for beginners but yields results that will impress even the most discerning palates. Whether you’re looking to recreate a taste of your past or simply crave an easy-to-make, show-stopping dessert, these Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars are your answer. Now, the only challenge left is finding enough people to share them with!
Crafting the Perfect Peanut Butter Bar: Tips and Tricks for Success
Achieving that ideal balance of dense, moist, and chewy in a peanut butter bar requires attention to a few key details. While the recipe itself is straightforward, understanding the role of each ingredient and the importance of certain techniques will ensure your bars turn out perfectly every time. This section dives deeper into how to master these delightful treats, from ingredient selection to smart baking practices.
Choosing Your Peanut Butter
The star of the show, peanut butter, plays a crucial role. We recommend using a conventional, creamy peanut butter for this recipe (like Jif or Skippy). Natural peanut butter, which often separates and has a different oil content, can lead to a greasier or drier bar with a less consistent texture. Weighing your peanut butter is also a fantastic tip, as it ensures accuracy and consistency. Nine ounces by weight is more precise than a cup measurement, especially for dense ingredients like peanut butter.
The Importance of Softened Butter and Granulated Sugar
Softened unsalted butter provides the necessary fat for a rich flavor and tender crumb. Ensure it’s truly softened, not melted, as this will affect the creaming process with the sugar. Granulated sugar not only sweetens the bars but also contributes to their chewy texture. Beating the peanut butter, softened butter, and sugar until smooth creates a light and airy base, incorporating air that helps with the bar’s overall texture.
Eggs, Salt, and Vanilla: Small Ingredients, Big Impact
Lightly whisked large eggs bind the ingredients together and add moisture, ensuring a moist and cohesive bar. The salt is critically important; it balances the sweetness of the sugar and peanut butter, enhancing all the flavors. If you’re using salted butter, you can reduce or omit the extra pinch of salt to avoid over-salting. Vanilla extract adds a warm, aromatic depth that complements the peanut butter beautifully. Stirring these ingredients in just until mixed prevents over-developing the gluten in the flour later.
The Right Flour and Mix-ins
Unbleached all-purpose flour is ideal for these bars, providing structure without making them tough. Carefully measuring your flour, preferably by weight (6.8 ounces), is crucial for the correct consistency. Over-measuring can lead to dry bars. The white chips, chopped peanuts, and dark chocolate chips are mixed into the batter, distributing flavor and texture throughout each bite. The peanuts add a lovely crunch, while the different chocolates provide layers of sweetness.
Baking and Topping for Perfection
Baking these bars correctly is key to their success. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9×13 inch metal pan with foil, then spray it with baking spray. Using nonstick foil is an even easier alternative. This step is vital for easy removal and cleanup, allowing you to lift the entire batch out of the pan once cooled and cut them cleanly.
Bake on the center rack for 23-25 minutes. The crucial part here is to look for a set center. The bars should appear firm and slightly golden around the edges, but a toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter. Overbaking can lead to dry, crumbly bars, so keep an eye on them.
The magic truly happens right after baking. Immediately after removing the pan from the oven, scatter the halved Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups over the hot surface. The residual heat will slightly melt them, allowing them to adhere beautifully to the bars. Then, sprinkle additional chocolate chips or Reese’s Pieces into any gaps for an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal. This step ensures the toppings are perfectly integrated and don’t just fall off.
The Secret to Cooling and Slicing
While patience is a virtue, the specific cooling method for these bars is a game-changer. Let them cool at room temperature for about 10 minutes. This initial cooling allows the bars to begin setting. Then, transfer the pan to a larger pan (a roasting pan works well) and fill the larger pan with ice water, ensuring the water comes about halfway up the sides of the bar pan. This ice bath rapidly cools the bars from the bottom up, helping them set even faster and creating an incredibly dense, moist, and chewy texture that prevents crumbling when sliced. It’s a professional trick that yields perfectly structured bars every time. Once thoroughly cooled in the ice bath, the bars will be firm and ready to be lifted out of the pan and sliced into perfect squares.
Related Recipes
- Chocolate Topped Peanut Butter Bar Cookies
- Chocolate & Peanut Butter Blondies
- Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
Recipe
Peanut Butter Bars
Cookie Madness
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup 9 oz peanut butter (I weighed it out on a scale)
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs lightly whisked in a separate bowl
- ¼ teaspoon plus a big pinch of salt omit the pinch if using salted butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups 6.8 ounces well stirred and carefully measured unbleached all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup white chips
- ½ cup chopped lightly salted peanuts
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips plus about ½ cup more (if needed)
- 1 cup Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
- ½ cup Reese’s Pieces optional
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9×13 inch metal pan with foil and spray with baking spray (or just use nonstick foil).
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In a mixing bowl, using a handheld mixer, beat the peanut butter, softened butter and sugar until smooth. By hand, stir in the eggs, salt and vanilla stirring just until mixed. Add the flour and stir just until mixed.
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Stir in white chips, peanuts and a cup of the chocolate chips. Press firmly into pan.
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Bake on center rack for 23-25 minutes or until center is set.
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Remove from oven and Immediately scatter the halved Reese’s Minis over the top. Sprinkle more chocolate chips (or Reese’s Pieces) into the gaps.
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Let cool at room temperature for about 10 minutes, then transfer pan to a larger pan (a roasting pan). Put ice water in the pan so that it comes about halfway up the sides. Let cool in pan.
Notes
Storage and Serving Suggestions
Once your glorious Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars are fully cooled and perfectly set, it’s time to think about storage and, more importantly, how to enjoy them! For optimal freshness, store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you prefer them firmer or want to extend their life, they can be refrigerated for up to a week. Just be aware that refrigeration might make them a bit chewier and less soft. For longer storage, these bars freeze beautifully. Wrap individual bars or the entire slab tightly in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator before serving.
These bars are fantastic on their own, perhaps with a tall glass of cold milk or a hot cup of coffee. For an extra special treat, warm a bar slightly in the microwave for a few seconds to get those Reese’s candies gooey again, then top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate fudge or caramel sauce. They also make excellent additions to a dessert platter for parties or potlucks, sure to be a crowd-pleaser that disappears quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars
Here are some common questions you might have when making these delicious peanut butter bars:
Can I use natural peanut butter for this recipe?
While natural peanut butter is great for many things, it’s generally not recommended for baked goods like these bars. Its oil content separates more easily, which can lead to a greasier bar that doesn’t set as well, or a drier, more crumbly texture. For best results, stick with conventional creamy peanut butter.
How do I know when the peanut butter bars are done baking?
The bars are done when the center looks set and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out with moist crumbs attached, rather than wet batter. The edges will also be lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake, as this can dry out the bars and make them less chewy.
Can I make a smaller batch of these Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars?
Absolutely! The recipe note specifically addresses this. For a half batch, use an 8-inch square metal pan and halve all the ingredients. This includes using 1 large egg plus 2 tablespoons of beaten egg from a second egg, as it’s hard to halve a whole egg precisely.
What if I don’t have Reese’s Minis or Reese’s Pieces?
While these toppings truly elevate the bars, you can certainly adapt the recipe. The original “Buddy Bar” concept uses just milk chocolate chips. You could use an extra cup of your favorite chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or white), M&Ms, or even chopped nuts for a different twist. Feel free to get creative with your toppings!
How long do these peanut butter bars last?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these bars will stay fresh and delicious for about 3-4 days. If you refrigerate them, they can last up to a week, though their texture will become firmer. For longer storage, freezing is an excellent option, extending their shelf life to 2-3 months.
Conclusion: Your New Go-To Decadent Treat
These Ultimate Chewy Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars are more than just a dessert; they’re a journey back to comforting flavors with an exciting, modern twist. Their dense, moist texture, combined with the irresistible peanut butter and chocolate goodness of Reese’s, makes them a standout in any baking repertoire. Easy to make and even easier to devour, they are perfect for satisfying a sweet craving, sharing with loved ones, or making a memorable impression at any gathering. Don’t hesitate to try this recipe; it’s guaranteed to become your new favorite way to enjoy a classic. Get ready for smiles and requests for the recipe every time you serve them!