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Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars: Perfect Labor Day Dessert

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These no-bake peanut butter bars are the perfect Labor Day dessert. With a creamy peanut butter and graham cracker base topped with a smooth chocolate layer, they are easy to make and require no oven time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter (e.g., Skippy or Jif)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted if desired
  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 14 full sheets)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt (omit if peanut butter is salted)
  • 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter

Instructions

  1. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides.
  2. Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs using a food processor or a zip-top bag and rolling pin.
  3. In a medium bowl, cream together 1 cup peanut butter and softened butter until smooth.
  4. Add powdered sugar and mix until thick and dough-like.
  5. Stir in graham cracker crumbs, vanilla, and salt until evenly distributed. Mixture should hold together when pressed.
  6. Press mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan using hands or the bottom of a measuring cup.
  7. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons peanut butter, stirring constantly until smooth. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second bursts.
  8. Pour melted chocolate over the base and spread evenly to the edges.
  9. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably 3-4 hours, until firm. For quicker set, freeze for 45 minutes.
  10. Lift bars out using parchment overhang, place on cutting board, and cut into 16 squares with a sharp knife, wiping blade clean between cuts.

Notes

Press the base firmly to prevent crumbling. Chill for at least 3 hours for clean slices. Use a sharp knife and wipe between cuts. Bars taste even better the next day. Store in refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: no-bake peanut butter bars, Labor Day dessert, easy peanut butter bars, no-bake dessert, peanut butter chocolate bars

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