An Easy No-Bake Treat: Christmas Peanut Butter Bars!

An easy, no-bake treat that is both naughty and nice! Nice, since they’re so easy to make and naughty, because they too hard to resist!

 Christmas is a week away . . .are you making your list and checking it twice?

I have an easy, no-bake treat you can check off your list that is both naughty and nice!

Nice, since they’re so easy to make and naughty, because they too hard to resist!

Raise your hand if you’re a fan of peanut butter and chocolate!

This recipe is an oldie but a goodie and perfect for Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup lovers.

Sprinkles are optional but oh, so festive and a fun to dress up these treats for Christmas or any holiday.

These bars come together in about 10 minutes plus an hour of refrigeration time to allow them to set

. . .perfect for gift giving or your sharing with your neighbors and your family to enjoy for the holidays!

No-Bake Christmas Peanut Butter Bars

Makes approximately 24 bars

These bars are rich like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, so you can cut into smaller squares or cut squares into triangles for more servings if desired.

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)

2 cups graham cracker crumbs, finely crushed

2 cups confectioners’ sugar

1 cup + 4 tablespoons peanut butter

12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Assorted sprinkles, optional

To Make:

Line 13-by-9-inch pan with parchment paper for easy removal of bars.

In medium bowl, mix sugar and graham cracker crumbs; set aside. Melt butter in a saucepan.

Stir in 1 cup of peanut butter, heating until smooth and melted.

Pour melted peanut butter mixture over sugar mixture mixing well.

Press mixture firmly into parchment-lined pan.

Add 4 tablespoons peanut butter to the chocolate chips and melt according to package directions (I used the microwave).

Heat and stir until mixture is melted and smooth, being careful not to scorch.

Pour over peanut butter layer in pan. Add holiday sprinkles if desired while chocolate is warm.

Refrigerate until bars are set, about 1 hour.

When bars are firm and set, lift out of pan by edges of paper and place on cutting board.

Cut into bars and serve or package for gifts.

Print Recipe

Christmas No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

An easy, no-bake treat that is both naughty and nice! Nice, since they’re so easy to make and naughty, because they too hard to resist!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time0 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bars, chocolate, Christmas, dessert, easy, food gift, no bake, peanut butter

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs finely crushed
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup peanut butter + 4 tablespoons peanut butter
• 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Assorted sprinkles optional

Instructions

• Line 13-by-9-inch pan with parchment paper for easy removal of bars.
• In medium bowl, mix sugar and graham cracker crumbs; set aside.
• Melt butter in a saucepan. Stir in 1 cup of peanut butter, heating until smooth and melted. Pour melted peanut butter mixture over sugar mixture mixing well. Press mixture firmly into parchment-lined pan.
• Add 4 tablespoons peanut butter to chocolate chips and melt according to package directions on bag (I used the microwave). Heat and stir until mixture is melted and smooth, being careful not to scorch.
• Pour over peanut butter layer in pan. Add holiday sprinkles if desired while chocolate is warm. Refrigerate until bars are set, about 1 hour. When firm, lift bars out of pan by edges of paper and place on cutting board. Cut into bars and serve or package for gifts.

Notes

• Spray pan with nonstick spray before lining with parchment paper to keep parchment from slipping in pan.
• Use a long serrated knife for easy cutting.
• An offset spatula makes for easy spreading of chocolate.
• Don't omit the addition of the peanut butter to the chocolate chips which makes the bars / chocolate layer easier to cut through.

I added a few party picks for a festive way to serve them.

The addition of the peanut butter to the chocolate chips makes the chocolate

layer a little softer and the bars easier to cut, so don’t omit.

I found the party picks by Meri Meri at HomeGoods.

Reindeer Corn Snack Mix is another no-bake treat that’s perfect for last-minute gift giving and holiday snacking.

You can whip up a batch in about 20 minutes, almost as fast as you can say

“On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen . . .”!

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Bite!

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