Soft, chewy peanut butter flavored blondie bars are thick and chewy and chock full of peanut butter–then gently brushed with premium dark chocolate.
Let’s get this over with, shall we?
The workday, that is. That last 8 hour stretch before the magical couple of days formally known as the weekend can begin. Only 8 hours (hopefully less than that, by the time you’re reading this) separates you from freedom (granted you have the same schedule as me), and hopefully by the end of this post I’ve convinced you of the absolute necessity for you to immediately go home and make these peanut butter blondie bars.
Why? Because they are incredible, they are easy, they are simple to make and heavenly to consume. Thick and chewy, chock-full-of dreamy creamy peanut butter and oh-so-artfully (or maybe not-so-much, let’s be honest) brushed with premium dark chocolate for that final, perfect flair. All the soft, chewiness of peanut butter cookies, no scooping required.
Maybe, if you’ll look closely you’ll notice the fine sprinkling of crushed sea salt scattered over the surfaces of these squares. I ultimately omitted the sea salt from the final recipe; while I’m usually a fan, I felt that it didn’t add much to the peanut butter bars (which already have naturally salty undertones to them thanks to the peanut butter).
Feel free to experiment with a sprinkle or two if you’d like, though.
Now, why you should make these immediately:
I hate to use the word moist (if only because I know so many people dislike it) but I don’t really know a way around it to properly convey the texture of these bars to you (“damp”, “sweaty”, “slightly wet”, all of these are significantly less appealing and none have quite the same connotation). They are soft, definitively moist, heavy with peanut butter so that they hover right on the line of appearing underbaked (which generally tends to be the line that I strive for when making baked goods).
They are a delicious way to enjoy peanut butter without making cookies, a twist on basic brownies, and they are, very, very easy.
Happy Friday, I hope your weekend is care free and peanut-butter-y (um, unless you’re allergic, of course…!).
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Enjoy!
Peanut Butter Blondie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted sweet cream butter softened, 2 sticks
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp milk
- 2 oz premium dark chocolate melted (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and line 13x9 pan with parchment paper or with foil sprayed lightly with no-stick spray.
- In KitchenAid or with electric hand mixer, cream together butter and peanut butter.
- Beat in sugars until well-combined.
- Beat in eggs, one at a time.
- Stir in vanilla extract.
- In separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually, on low speed, add flour mixture to peanut butter mixture, pausing occasionally to scrape down sides of bowl.
- Add milk and stir until combined.
- Spread batter into prepared ban and bake on 350F for 25-28 minutes (toothpick inserted in center should come back mostly dry with only a few crumbs)
- Allow to cool completely
- Cut and brush with melted chocolate, if desired.
Nutrition
Nan
Hi! Hope you are having a great day 🙂 I was wondering if I half this recipe, what size pan should I bake it in?
Sam
Hi Nan! I believe an 8 inch square pan will work here. 🙂
Nan
Thanks so much for your quick responses! I have another question- sorry I have so many questions lol- can I sub the brown sugar for white sugar mixed with pure maple syrup or maybe just plain white sugar? I love brown sugar in recipes but I use it so much that I keep running out of it 🙂
Sam
As long as you have the ratio correct for the mix I don’t see any reason it wouldn’t work. 🙂
Bruce
I’m pre-rating it 5 stars. I have a half batch in the oven now, since it’s just me. This is easily done by hand with a wooden spoon, if you would like. I’m sure these are as good as the Snicker Doodle Blondies. I did mistake my 1/2 tablespoon for a 1/2 tsp for the baking soda, so mine will be too puffy, but that will be fine. I’m sure I’ll make another half batch soon!
Sam
Thank you so much Bruce! Try not to eat too many! 😉
Ruth
Hoping these come out okay. I’m so used to your recipes having weights this really threw me off lol.
Sam
I hope you love them, Ruth! This is an older recipe from before I used weights, I’ll have to get it updated with weights soon!
Beeta @ Mon Petit Four
Oh my gosh! How heavenly are these! A thick peanut butter bar with dark chocolate brushed on top? Count me in! This is so the thing I would rush to the kitchen to after work just to bake up and devour as my time-off treat <3
Tonya
Creative Sam! I love the brush effect! My all time favorite combination!
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen
Oh wow! These blondie bars look droolicious, Sam. Can’t wait to try.
Adina
The bars look delicious, I would love to try them. What is sweet cream butter? I suppose I can use normal butter instead?
Sam
Thanks Adina! And yes, just regular butter would be right 🙂
Ana | Espresso My Kitchen
These look so yummy! and loving the chocolate brushed on top! These are a perfect treat.
Happy Weekend! 🙂
Nagi@RecipeTinEats
I know you might not believe me but I’ve never made a bond bar before in my life. THIS is the one I am trying! 🙂 Pinning! Happy weekend Sam!
Dani @ Dani California Cooks
I love that these are brushed with dark chocolate. I mean, that’s when food really becomes art!! So beautiful and it looks delicious to boot.
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
I am totally with you girl, bring on the weekend! AND bring on these delicious blondies!! I am ALL about the blondies (and not just because I am one!)! 😉 They are my favorite! But add some peanut butter? Heck yes!!! Loves it! Pinned! Cheers, girlfriend! To a fabulous weekend!
Marsha @ Marsha's Baking Addiction
Now these are my kind of blondies – peanut butter and chocolate! Yum!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout
Love the chocolate on top and the chewy deliciousness that are these blondies! Pinning 🙂
Amanda
These blondies look great! And I love the chocolate brushes over the top. Looks very snazzy!