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Soft and chewy, these Peanut Butter Cookie Bars are topped with salted pretzels for texture and that wonderful sweet and salty combo that is incredibly easy to make!
This recipe was originally published in October 2017. It has been updated for content and photos. For a good laugh, scroll down to the bottom of the post and check out the old photo!
I mean, isn't peanut butter just the best in desserts? This Peanut Butter Fudge is ultra addicting, and these Peanut Butter Brownies are just incredible. I mean, who doesn't love peanut butter and chocolate together???
Plus these bars require no refrigeration, no cookie rolling. I mean these things are seriously easy. Got a potluck and don't have much time? Make these cookie bars. Going to party? Eating at home alone in the dark? Again, these bars are perfect.
Peanut butter, chocolate, salty pretzels...all the flavors for a perfect treat! Plus, bars are better than cookies. They're easier to make and I just like the consistency of a nice thick peanut butter bar.
Ingredients
Basically, these cookie bars are made with peanut butter and pretzels. The pretzels add a crunchy, salty component which is just incredible.
I recommend using a good quality (not natural as it is too oily) creamy peanut butter. Buy creamy peanut butter (affiliate link).
I also use a melting chocolate to drizzle the cookie bars with chocolate. You can also just use melted chocolate chips mixed with a touch of coconut oil or cream. Buy melting chocolate (affiliate link).
The rest of the ingredients are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
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Step By Step Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Beat the butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and egg with either a hand held mixer or a stand mixer until it's fluffy, about 2 minutes. (affiliate links)
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt and mix well.
Combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix to combine. Be careful not to over mix as it will make the cookie bars tougher. It's ok if there are a few streaks of flour in the batter.
Line an 8"x8" metal pan with parchment paper.
Pour the dough in the lined pan and pat down in an even layer.
Firmly press the pretzels into the top of the cookie dough. Make sure they are set in good, otherwise the pretzels will fall off when you eat them.
Bake for 20-25 minutes (until edges are golden brown), remove from oven and allow to cool fully. Once cooled, slice the cookies into squares with a warm, sharp knife.
Melt the chocolate according to the instructions. Using a spoon, drizzle the chocolate over the cookie bars. You can use as little or as much as you'd like.
Variations
- Add half a cup of chocolate chips to the batter;
- Add peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips or toffee bits in the batter;
- Chop pieces of caramel and add it in;
- ½ cup of crushed potato chips instead of the pretzels would be a great alternative for that salty flavor;
- Add in a combo of the above!
Expert Tips
- Don't over mix the batter or the bars will not be as soft. It's ok if there are a few streaks of flour in the batter.
- The edges should be light brown when done. Be careful not to overcook or the bars will be dry.
- For extra chewy cookies, reduce the cook time by 2 minutes.
Did you make this recipe? Rate the recipe and leave a comment below to let me know what you think!
Recipe
Sweet and Salty Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1 ¼ cup flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup pretzels
- 2 ounces melting chocolate
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Beat the butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and egg with either a hand held mixer or a stand mixer until it's fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt and mix well.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix to combine. Be careful not to over mix as it will make the cookie bars tougher. It's ok if there are a few streaks of flour in the batter.
- Line an 8"x8" metal pan with parchment paper. Pour the dough in the lined pan and pat down in an even layer.
- Firmly press the pretzels into the top of the cookie dough. Make sure they are set in good, otherwise the pretzels will fall off when you eat them.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes (until edges are golden brown), remove from oven and allow to cool fully. Once cooled, slice the cookies into squares with a warm, sharp knife.
- Melt the chocolate according to the instructions. Using a spoon, drizzle the chocolate over the cookie bars. You can use as little or as much as you'd like.
Expert Tips:
- Don't over mix the batter or the bars will not be as soft. It's ok if there are a few streaks of flour in the batter.
- The edges should be light brown when done. Be careful not to overcook or the bars will be dry.
- For extra chewy cookies, reduce the cook time by 2 minutes.
Nutrition
Check out this oldie!
Qashang @ Chili to Choc says
Ah these cookie bars look fabulous! The combination of chocolate and peanut butter is so divine. Love the new pictures too!
Danielle says
Thanks!
Sue says
Sweet and salty meets soft and crunchy. Only good can come of this!!!
Danielle says
Totally!
Scarlet says
These salted pretzel peanut butter cookie bars look amazing! I am pinning now to make the bar recipe soon.
Danielle says
I hope you enjoy them!
Julia says
This is just the kind of a treat I would love to have on my table right now! I'd say there would not be many left 🙂
Danielle says
I can attest to that!
Alison says
I love the salty and sweet combination in desserts, and these bars were amazing! Nice crunch on the top with the addition of the pretzels!
Danielle says
I'm so glad you liked them!
Lisa Huff says
Mmmm loving the sweet and salty combo with the pretzels and chocolate. Perfect!
Danielle says
Thanks!
Shelley Fulton says
I'm so excited to find this recipe! We just took my son to college last week, and I've been on the lookout for fun new treats to mail him, especially during this difficult pandemic school year. These will be perfect! Thanks for the yummy suggestions of different add-ins and swaps - I think I might try some of those! - and for the tip on slightly under-baking them, which is how we usually like our cookie bars. And thank you for this wonderful little treat for my college guy!
Danielle says
These would be a great treat! I hope he enjoys them 🙂
Gina says
These look killer! So dense and peanut buttery - can't wait to try them, great recipe!
Danielle says
Hope you love them!
layla says
So easy and delicious!!
Honey @ The Girl Next Shore says
I love the thought of this, Danielle and it's definitely making me super excited to bake again! =) Will try to recreate this soon! x
Danielle@wenthere8this says
Thanks! What's great about this recipe is how easy it is to make. I prefer cooking to baking, so I'm always looking for easy baking ideas 🙂