Peanut Butter Dream Bars

Table of Contents

1. Peanut Butter Dream Bars Ingredients
2. Substitutions and Additions
3. How to Make Peanut Butter Dream Bars
4. How to Serve Peanut Butter Dream Bars
5. Storage
6. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
7. MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
8. JUMP TO RECIPE

Peanut Butter Dream Bars are a rich combination of peanut butter, chocolate, and a cookie crumb crust. Easy, and almost no-bake, the classic chocolate and peanut butter combination will make these dessert bars your new favorite decadent treat. 

If you love these desert bars then you’ll also want to make Cookie Dough Bars, Twix Bars, and Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars.

Peanut Butter Dream Bars Ingredients

You will need:

Substitutions and Additions

MILK: This should not be made with soy or almond milk. It will come out watery. 

COOKIES: If you can’t find the peanut butter sandwich cookies, you can substitute vanilla or chocolate sandwich cookies. 

How to Make Peanut Butter Dream Bars

PRO TIP: You can double the recipe and make it in a 9×13-inch baking dish. 

For the Crust

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray an 8×8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

STEP TWO: Using a small mixing bowl, combine the crushed cookies and the melted butter. Stir cookie base ingredients to completely coat all the crumbs.

PRO TIP: To crush cookies, you can either use a food processor or a rolling pin and Ziploc bag.

STEP THREE: Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove the baking dish from the oven and allow the baked crust to cool completely.

For the Chocolate Pudding Layer

STEP FOUR: Using a small bowl and a handheld electric mixer on medium speed or a wire whisk, beat together the chocolate pudding mix and the cold milk. Continue mixing until the pudding is thickened.

STEP FIVE: Use either a silicone spatula or an offset spatula to evenly spread the chocolate layer over the cooled crust. Set it in the refrigerator while you make the peanut butter layer.

For the Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Layer

STEP SIX: Using a medium bowl and a hand mixer on medium-high speed, beat the cream cheese for about 1 minute until smooth.

PRO TIP: Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature so that you don’t end up with lumps in your layer.

STEP SEVEN: Add the creamy peanut butter and continue mixing on medium-high for an additional 30 seconds – 1 minute, until smooth.

STEP EIGHT: Reduce the mixer speed to low, slowly add in the confectioners’ sugar and continue to mix until completely incorporated.

STEP NINE: Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and evenly spread the peanut butter mixture over the top of the chocolate pudding layer. 

STEP TEN: Top the peanut butter layer with the 8-ounce tub of whipped topping. 

STEP ELEVEN: Evenly sprinkle peanut butter and milk chocolate chips over the whipped topping.

STEP TWELVE: Evenly sprinkle the crushed sandwich cookies over the peanut butter and chocolate chips.

STEP THIRTEEN: Return the baking dish to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours.

STEP FOURTEEN: Cut the dessert into 2-inch x 2-inch squares.

How to Serve Peanut Butter Dream Bars

Bar desserts are not only simple to make, but they are easy to transport and to cut and serve. Serve up your easy chocolate peanut butter dream bars  at a holiday party or a potluck and watch them disappear in no time. These decadent bars can either be served on their own or with a scoop of ice cream on the side and perhaps even a drizzle of caramel sauce on top. 

Storage

IN THE FRIDGE: Keep any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.  

IN THE FREEZER: You can also freeze the peanut butter bars. Cover with plastic wrap and a layer of aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Allow the peanut butter bars to thaw before cutting and serving.

The chocolate and peanut butter filling are such a perfect combination. Adding whipped cream and a cookie base makes this dessert a rich and decadent treat to whip up for a gathering or a weeknight surprise. Share these nearly no-bake peanut butter dream bars with friends, or keep it all to yourself!

Peanut Butter Dream Bars feature layers of fluffy whipped cream, silky chocolate pudding, and creamy peanut butter to create a dessert that is creamy and indulgent. The only part of this nearly no-bake recipe that has to go in the oven is the crust. Simple to make, this delicious treat is a dream to eat.  

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do you have to bake this recipe? 

This easy dessert is ALMOST a no-bake recipe. You just have to bake the crust before adding the other layers.

Can I use a 9 x 9-inch pan instead of an 8 x 8? 

You could use a slightly bigger pan, although it would mean your layers would not be as thick. We do suggest if you want to make a larger dessert, double the recipe using a 9×13 pan.

Can I freeze this dessert? 

Peanut butter dream bars can be frozen for up to three months.

MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

• Peanut Butter Cookies
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Crazy Cake
• Milk Cake
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge