Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bars
**this post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission for products purchased through my link.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bars are made with simple pantry staple ingredients.
- This recipe is quick and easy to put together!
- As written this recipe is vegan, dairy free, plant-based, gluten free and grain free!
- It’s also refined sugar free, depending on the dark chocolate that you use.
- A great treat for when you don’t want to turn on your oven.
- The perfect dessert to have stored in your freezer.
- These bars have a cookie dough base that are then topped with a creamy mixture of dark chocolate and peanut butter.
- If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Vegan Peanut Butter Bars for another similar twist.
Ingredients And Substitutions
These are the main ingredients and substitutions for Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bars. Scroll down to the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and instructions.
The base of these bars is made with almond flour, which is a grain and gluten free ingredient. I have not tested this recipe with any other flours, i’m sure oat flour will work but you may have to adjust the other ingredients to get the right texture.
A touch of salt adds a lovely cookie dough flavor and helps to balance out the rest of the ingredients.
Opt for a peanut butter that is unsalted and contains only one ingredient, peanuts! Alternatively, you can use almond butter, cashew butter or a seed or oat butter.
Maple syrup is my favorite sweetener to use in my baked goods, especially cookies. I think it gives such a lovely caramel like texture.
Vanilla extract is a must in any dessert recipe.
How To Make
ONE: In a medium bowl, mix together to almond flour and salt and then set aside.
TWO: In a separate bowl, combine the peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Mix well. Then add wet ingredients into dry.
THREE: Fold in the chocolate chips last and then press cookie dough into an 8×8 baking dish that is lined with parchment paper.
FOUR: In a small bowl, add in the chocolate chips, peanut butter and oil. Microwave in 30 second increments, stirring well in between each round.
FIVE: Pour chocolate mixture over the cookie dough and add on dollops of peanut butter before swirling with a toothpick. This is optional but encouraged! Place in the freezer for 1 hour to set.
SIX: Cut into bars and enjoy. Top with flakey sea salt if desired.
Tips And Tricks
Mix together the wet ingredients before adding into the dry. This will ensure that all the ingredients are really well incorporated.
Use a mixture of chocolate chips and chocolate chunks so you get a piece in every single bite.
Microwave the chocolate mixture in 30 second increments, stirring well in between each round until chocolate is smooth and creamy.
Add more peanut butter on top of the chocolate and use a toothpick to create a swirl design. It looks pretty and the peanut butter on top is a nice touch.
How To Serve And Store
Serve these Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bars once they have fully set in the freezer. Cut into bars and enjoy with flakey sea salt if preferred.
Store cookie dough bars in the freezer, let set on the counter for 1-2 minutes before enjoying. Cookie dough bars can be stored in an airtight container and enjoyed up to 30-60 days.
Taste And Texture
These Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bars taste like a Reece’s peanut butter cup with a nice cookie dough twist. They are the perfect balance of sweet and salty.
The texture is smooth, creamy with a nice crunch from the chocolate chips in the cookie dough layer.
Other Recipes You May Like
If you make these Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bars, I would really appreciate a comment and rating down below, under the recipe card. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me over on Instagram, Tiktok or Pinterest!
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bars
Ingredients
Cookie Dough Layer
- 1.5 cups almond flour
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 cup creamy natural peanut butter
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup dairy free chocolate chips
Peanut Butter Layer
- 1 cup dairy free chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup creamy (all natural peanut butter)
- 1 tbsp coconut or extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together to almond flour and salt, set aside.
- In a separate bowl, combine the peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Mix well. Then add wet ingredients into dry and mix well. Mixture should take form when you pinch between your fingers. If too crumbly, keep mixing or add in more peanut butter.
- Fold in the chocolate chips last and then press cookie dough into an 8×8 baking dish that is lined with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, add in the chocolate chips, peanut butter and oil. Microwave in 30 second increments, stirring well in between each round.
- Pour chocolate mixture over the cookie dough and add on dollops of peanut butter before swirling with a toothpick. This is optional but encouraged! Place in the freezer for 1 hour to set.
- Cut into bars and enjoy. Top with flakey sea salt if desired.
Notes
- Mix together the wet ingredients before adding into the dry. This will ensure that all the ingredients are really well incorporated.
- Use a mixture of chocolate chips and chocolate chunks so you get a piece in every single bite.
- Microwave the chocolate mixture in 30 second increments, stirring well in between each round until chocolate is smooth and creamy.
- Add more peanut butter on top of the chocolate and use a toothpick to create a swirl design. It looks pretty and the peanut butter on top is a nice touch.
These were absolutely amazing! I am a cookie dough and peanut butter lover so these were perfect! 10/10
the best of both worlds! so happy you enjoyed them!! xx