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Why does life have to be so complicated? Every thought we think, every decision we make, there is always a long list of what ifs and why nots, of benefits and consequences. When do we think smart and when do we trust our heart? When do we hold back and when do we jump? When is it ok to keep going and when have we had enough? I can’t make these complicated decisions go away, but I can bring you a simple dessert to snack on while thinking – Peanut Butter Cup Bars. They are very similar to chocolate chip cookie bars except there is peanut butter and chopped up peanut butter cups for the chocolate chips.
It was a Friday night when I made these, and I wanted to bake. I didn’t feel like thinking though. I didn’t want to experiment, decorate, chill, roll or cut; I wanted cookies that could be baked with little effort. I didn’t even want to spend time scooping! I just wanted to do some mindless baking to soothe my soul as work beats me hard during the week.
I always wanted to try peanut butter cups as chocolate chips. I’m surprised nobody has done that yet (or at least I struck out when looking for similar recipes). They retained their shape pretty well, much like chocolate chips do.
There are days where I wish I had a crystal ball or a sign that points me in the right direction. Days where I feel like I need a life coach, for someone to hold my hand to tell me it’s going to be ok. But I guess a pan of these Peanut Butter Cup Bars will have to hold me over now.
Peanut Butter Cup Bars
Author: Carla Cardello (www.chocolatemoosey.com)
Serves: 16 bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1 cup chopped peanut butter cups
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Have an 8×8 pan ready.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat together the sugar, peanut butter, and butter until creamy. Beat in the vanilla and egg. Gradually beat in the flour mixture. Stir in 3/4 cup peanut butter cups.
- Spread the batter into the pan. Gently press the remaining 1/4 cup peanut butter cups into the top of the batter. Bake 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before cutting.
Source: Adapted from Nestle Toll House cookbook
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If you liked my Peanut Butter Cup Bars, you may also like these recipes:
From me:
- Peanut Butter-Stuffed Chocolate Cookies
- Double Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Squares
From other bloggers:
- Peanut Butter Cup Smoreo Bars from Top With Cinnamon
- Lightened Up Chocolate Peanut Butter Upside Down Banana Cake from Half Baked Harvest
- Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
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Peanut butter cups always answer all my life questions :-) I love all the pb cups peeking out of these yummy bars!!!
It doesn’t matter what the question is right? Seems like chocolate and peanut butter is the perfect solution ;) Thanks Jocelyn!
ooo yum! I love Peanut Butter Cups! I’d love a bar!
Thanks Nicole!
Those peanut butter cup bars would brighten any day of mine. I seriously love peanut butter and chocolate. And I’m with you on the baking to help calm a stressed day. I don’t know which part I like the most, the mixing or the aroma of it baking or perhaps the enjoyment of it when it’s all done.
Let’s go with all of the above! Thanks Renee.
I want these. Now. Oh my. You’re definitely a gal after my heart with these!
Well come visit and you can have some ;)
Mmmm love pb cups and love how simple and easy and peerfectly delicious these look
Thanks Kayle!
I love simple recipes like this. Sometimes, easier is better! These look so darn good. I’d eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Don’t forget midnight snack ;) Thanks Colleen!
Carla, we both had the same idea on Friday night – baking our woes away! These bars look phenomenal – peanut butter and chocolate cures everything, in my opinion. Love the styling here.
Yes, baking, chocolate, and peanut butter can bring world peace haha thanks Nancy!
These would soothe my soul. It is always nice to do something for yourself on a Friday night.
Thanks Emily!
Carla,
Really, the take home message for me was that your photos of Friday night baking turn out so much better than mine!
I know I was baking pizzas, not yummy-looking bars, and perhaps a chicken cranberry pizza with fresh mozzarella on a blueberry crust is not as photogenic as a PB cup, but still.
I love your photos!
If you bake the pizzas, I will bake more of these bars! Thanks Kirsten!
I love this, I did something similar in cookies and banana bars a while back. SOOOO good
Mmm bananas would make a great addition!
Chocolate and peanut butter is my favorite flavor combo, and these bars look so so good. I need to try these!
Thanks Rachel!
The peanut butter bars sound wonderful however you forgot to mention “when” to add the flour mixture in the recipe.
Fixed! Thanks for letting me know.
Your bars look so delicious :) Life is ridiculously complicated and full of big decisions, but I know baking definitely helps to calm me down when I’m feeling really stressed about it!
Baking solves everything it seems :) Thanks Rosie!
” I just wanted to do some mindless baking to soothe my soul as work beats me hard during the week.” This is exactly how I felt when I saw your recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Made these. They are very easy, with few ingredients. Took only 20-30 total. Thanks for the “go to” snack for school!