Peanut Butter Cookie Bars (with Chocolate of Course!)

This is an easy and scrumptious recipe that isn’t time consuming and always hits the spot! It is also one of those recipes that I don’t have to plan ahead by going to the store first for ingredients. I usually have everything I need for it already in my kitchen. Everyone knows that peanut butter and chocolate are a winning combination. For this recipe you could use all chocolate chips but I like to mix it up with an equal amount of chocolate chips and candy coated pieces. The bright colors are always fun too!

Peanut Butter Cookie Bars with Chocolate

Delicious peanut butter cookie bars loaded with chocolate!

1 1/2 cup all purpose flour (180 grams or 6.35 oz)
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
4 oz unsalted butter – room temperature (114 grams)
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup confectioner sugar
1 large egg (room temperature)
1/2 tsp vanilla
4.5 oz chocolate chips (128 grams)
4.5 oz candy coated chocolate candies (128 grams)

Preheat oven to 375 F / 190 C.
Line the bottom of a Quarter Sheet pan with parchment paper. ( 9 in by 13 in)
Stir together the flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
In a stand mixer, beat the butter and peanut butter together on low to medium speed.
Add the brown sugar and confectioner sugar to the mixing bowl and beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until it lightens in color. Scrape the bowl as needed.
Add the egg and vanilla and mix on medium speed until well incorporated.
Slowly add in the flour while the mixer is on low speed. Gradually turn up the speed to medium to mix all the ingredients together evenly.
Stir the chocolate chips and candies into the dough – or add them into the mixer on low speed.
Spread the dough out evenly on a parchment lined quarter sheet pan. (9 in x 13 in)
Bake the cookie bars in a 375 F / 190 C preheated oven for 18-20 minutes. The top will turn a nice dark golden brown when they are done.
Let the cookie bars cool in the pan on a rack for at least 25-30 minutes. If you try to take them out of the pan when they are too hot they will fall apart.
Cut the bars into squares and enjoy!