This easy, no bake peanut butter bars recipe is the answer to your Chocolate and Peanut Butter craving! Buckeye Bars are decadent bites of candy that melt in your mouth!
Some people have referred to these bars as “lunchlady bars.” Having never been served them at school, I based this treat off my viral buckeyes recipe!
This buckeye bar recipe was originally published in February 2015. The photos and recipe notes were updated in August 2022, but the orginal recipe hasn’t changed!
Aimee’s Recipe Notes
- Taste: Creamy peanut butter with rich, fudgy chocolate topping.
- Texture: Smooth peanut butter filling with a creamy, fudgy chocolate layer.
- Ease to Make: Easy to prepare with no baking required.
- Top Tip: For clean slices, chill the bars thoroughly before cutting with a sharp knife.
If you are a true lover of Chocolate and Peanut Butter then this recipe is made for you!
I may like these better than peanut butter balls. Yes you heard me. Better because it’s EASIER. And who doesn’t love easy dessert recipes? Especially our delicious chocolate peanut butter pie!
- Tastes like a Reese’s peanut butter cup.
- Easy no bake dessert!
- Chocolate and peanut butter in every bite.
- Great for a crowd!
Next time you’re craving chocolate and peanut butter, you’ll want to add my peanut butter brownies to your list next! Be sure to try my fudgy peanut butter brownies!
Featured Review
“These are fabulous!!! Cannot make enough of these and they are gone!” -Rochelle
Five ingredients are all you need to make these easy no bake peanut butter bars.
- Butter- Either salted or unsalted butter will work great in today’s recipe. Avoid margarine as it can be too watery. You’ll need some for both layers!
- Powdered Sugar- Use this to sweeten the peanut butter mixture. Avoid granulated sugar because you don’t want it grainy.
- Peanut Butter- We prefer using a shelf stable peanut butter, like Skippy or Jif. Natural peanut butters can be too oily.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar- semi-sweet morsels can be used instead.
PRO TIP- We love making our own homemade vanilla extract, but if using store bought, be sure it’s pure extract, not imitation (for best flavor).
I’ve seen other recipes that use graham crackers crushed into the bar, and while I’m sure that is delicious, this recipe has no graham cracker crumbs.
How to make Peanut Butter Bars
Buckeye bars taste just like a Reese’s peanut butter cup. And making a whole batch will ensure that you have plenty for days to come.
What’s so great about them is that you can whip them up in no time. Unlike buckeyes, there’s no rolling and dipping!
- Peanut Butter layer- melt butter and mix with powdered sugar and peanut butter.
- Press into pan- Be sure to line your pan with foil or parchment paper. This makes it easy to lift out and cut into bars.
- Ganache- make a chocolate ganache to pour over the top. Whether you use our original recipe with heavy cream, or this easy chocolate and butter version, both are incredible.
Tips and Tricks
- AVOID THE CRACKING. If you don’t want your chocolate to “crack” when cutting your bars, don’t refrigerate these bars. Cut them as soon as the chocolate sets (about 30 minutes room temperature).
- Use ghirardelli melting wafers in place of the chocolate chips for easy melting and delicious flavor.
- Store in airtight container for up to one week.
If you’re looking for more peanut butter treats…have you made these Buckeye Brownies yet? They are calling my name!
You could also give these easy, no bake Peanut Butter Smores Bars a try! Ready in 15 minutes, and only 4 ingredients!
More Easy Candy Bar Recipes
- This copycat Three Musketeers Recipe is incredible! Never go back to store-bought again!
- Buckeye Brownie Cookies combine some of my all time favorite flavors in two of my favorite dessert treats!
- Try out these gooey Avalanche Krispie Treats for the perfect chewy treat!
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section below!
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Peanut Butter Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter melted
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 bars ghirardelli semisweet chocolate 4 ounces each
- 1 Tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Line a 13×9 inch baking sheet with foil. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat 3/4 cup melted butter, powdered sugar, peanut butter and vanilla extract together. Mixture will come together into a “dough.” Using your hands, press into the bottom of the 13×9 dish.
- In a microwave bowl, combined chocolate bars (broken into pieces) with 1 tablespoon butter. Heat for 30 second intervals, stirring until chocolate is smooth (mine took about 1 1/2 minutes).
- Spread evenly over top of peanut butter layer.
- Allow chocolate to set before cutting.
- Store in airtight container at room temperature. ENJOY.
Notes
- Chocolate. I used Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate bars for the top layer. The chocolate melts so smooth, and tastes amazing. The Ghirardelli melting wafers work well too!
- AVOID THE CRACKING. If you don’t want your chocolate to “crack” when cutting your bars, don’t refrigerate these bars. Cut them as soon as the chocolate sets (about 30 minutes room temperature).
- Storage. Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
I’m a diabetic. Is there a diabetic friendly recipe for those of us that can’t have the sugar?
Sorry, I don’t specialize in sugar free recipes.
These are fabulous!!! Cannot make enough of these and they are gone!
Could chocolate chips be used as a subsitute?
These look delicious! For the tablespoon of butter that you mix in with the chocolate–is that salted or unsalted?
How long after making can you cut them – just made a batch and not sure when to cut
Can I use the 20 oz package of Almond Bark, like I use to dip the balls in?
I always make these as gifts and everyone LOVES them!!!
I love buckeye bars!! They are always a hit with everyone. They are smooth & creamy & I love the peanut butter/chocolate combination!
I am seriously drooling right now. There isn’t anything like sweet peanut butter and chocolate together. I’d definitely have to have a plan to share before making them though because I wouldn’t trust myself alone with these treats!
This was my first experience making peanut butter bars with no binder. They’re VERY soft. I’m definitely keeping them in the refrigerator but the flavor is really good – peanut butter side to chocolate side ratio can be hard and this is perfect.
I make buckeyes every Christmas and think the idea of making them into bars is brilliant! Love how thick you made the chocolate and, if it tastes like a Reese’s, you have a hit on your hands. I think I could devour a good portion of the plate. lol
I love that this is a no bake recipe…it’s so easy!
I made these.using a different recipe and they peanut part is way to soft.couldnt hardly pick them up.any suggestions?
Chocolate and Peanut Butter, can it get any better? These look delicious, and can’t wait to make them!
Could these be made using a brownie bites pan? I know it wouldn’t be as easy as a 9×13 pan, but might be nice for portion control since every piece would be the same size ☺️
Do you make 2 batches of chocolate to put on top?
Does the recipe call for natural peanut butter ore regular peanut butter. Just want to be sure.
I almost always use Jif, regular creamy peanut butter 🙂
Looks delicious- I made them & forgot to cut as directed – & put in frig to speed u setting ????
Guess now all cuts will crack ?
Any tips – ty
You can try to let it come to room temp and then cut it?
Looks delicious- I made them & forgot to cut as directed – & put in frig to speed u setting ????
Guess now all cuts will crack ?
Any tips – ty