Simple & Sweet: The Best Peanut Butter Squares Recipe Ever

Sweet, salty peanut butter squares tantalize taste buds with their irresistible combination of creamy richness and decadent texture.

These delectable treats promise a perfect balance between indulgence and comfort.

Crafted with simple ingredients, the recipe redefines ordinary pantry staples into an extraordinary dessert.

Chocolate lovers and peanut butter enthusiasts find themselves drawn to the magnetic appeal of these squares.

Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of smooth, velvety goodness that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

The straightforward preparation makes these squares accessible to home bakers of all skill levels.

Minimal effort yields maximum satisfaction, creating a dessert that looks impressive and tastes even better.

Making No-Fuss Peanut Butter Squares

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Surface

Grab a 9×13-inch glass baking dish and generously coat it with non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy removal later.

Step 2: Create Graham Cracker Crumbs

Place graham cracker sheets inside a sealed plastic bag and crush them using a rolling pin or your hands until they transform into fine, sandy crumbs. Set aside for later use.

Step 3: Craft the Creamy Peanut Butter Filling

• Creamy peanut butter
• Softened butter
• Vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Gradually fold in powdered sugar, stirring until the mixture becomes smooth and spreadable.

Step 4: Melt the Chocolate Coating

In a microwave-safe bowl, blend chocolate chips with vegetable shortening. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each burst, until the chocolate becomes silky and fully melted. Be careful not to overheat.

Step 5: Layer the Delicious Bars

• Spread one-third of the melted chocolate over the crackers
• Gently flatten sections of peanut butter mixture and distribute evenly
• Pour another third of chocolate over the peanut butter layer
• Add a second layer of graham crackers
• Drizzle remaining chocolate on top
• Sprinkle crushed graham cracker crumbs as a finishing touch

Step 6: Chill and Slice

Refrigerate the bars for at least one hour to allow them to set completely. Once chilled, slice into square portions and serve.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Chilling Time: 1 hour

Yield: 24 delightful squares

Peanut Butter Square Tips for Every Baker

• Crush Crackers Perfectly: Use a rolling pin or heavy glass to create uniform graham cracker crumbs with no large chunks for a smooth, consistent texture.
• Prevent Sticky Mixtures: Lightly coat your hands with powdered sugar when pressing peanut butter layers to prevent sticking and achieve even distribution.
• Melt Chocolate Carefully: Stir chocolate chips slowly and consistently to avoid burning, ensuring a glossy and smooth chocolate coating every time.
• Chill for Superior Texture: Allow squares to set completely in the refrigerator for at least 90 minutes for a firmer, more defined dessert that cuts cleanly.
• Store Smartly: Keep squares in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent sticking.

Best Storage Methods for Peanut Butter Squares

Store in an Airtight Container: Transfer leftover peanut butter squares to a sealed container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain freshness and prevent moisture.

Refrigerate for Optimal Texture: Keep the squares chilled in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, which helps preserve their creamy consistency and prevents chocolate from melting.

Freeze for Long-Term Storage: Wrap individual squares in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe bag, and store for up to 3 months- perfect for make-ahead treats or unexpected sweet cravings.

Great Pairings for These Peanut Treats

• Pair with Smooth Milk Stout: The rich, creamy chocolate stout complements the sweet peanut butter and chocolate layers, creating a velvety dessert experience that balances the treat's intense flavors.
• Serve with Cold Vanilla Bean Latte: The coffee's subtle sweetness and smooth vanilla notes cut through the dessert's richness, providing a refreshing contrast that enhances the overall taste profile.
• Enjoy with Fresh Raspberry Sorbet: The tart, bright fruit sorbet cleanses the palate between bites, offering a light and zesty counterpoint to the dense, sweet peanut butter squares.
• Match with Caramel Macchiato: The espresso's robust flavor and sweet caramel undertones create a harmonious pairing that elevates the dessert's chocolate and peanut butter layers.

Ways to Add Flair to Peanut Butter Squares

• Nutty Chocolate Crunch: Replace graham crackers with crushed pretzels for added saltiness and crunch, creating a more complex flavor profile.
• Almond Butter Swirl: Swap peanut butter with almond butter and add dark chocolate chips for a sophisticated, rich taste experience.
• No-Bake Coconut Version: Incorporate shredded coconut into the peanut butter mixture and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top for tropical notes.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free graham crackers or replace with ground nuts like almonds to make the dessert celiac-friendly and equally delicious.

Why Peanut Butter Squares Are an All-Time Favorite

• Indulge in Creamy Comfort: These peanut butter squares deliver a rich, velvety texture that melts perfectly in your mouth, combining smooth peanut butter with decadent chocolate.
• Quick and Easy Crowd-Pleaser: With just 20 minutes of prep time and simple ingredients, this dessert requires minimal effort but creates maximum deliciousness for family gatherings or potlucks.
• Layer by Layer Delight: The strategic assembly of graham crackers, chocolate, and peanut butter creates a stunning visual and taste experience, offering multiple flavor dimensions in every single bite.
• No-Bake Sweet Sensation: Perfect for home cooks who want a delectable dessert without turning on the oven, these squares are foolproof and guaranteed to impress both kids and adults with their irresistible combination of sweet and salty flavors.

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Squares You’ll Crave

• Graham Cracker Sheets: Classic base that provides a crunchy foundation and subtle sweetness for the bars.
• Peanut Butter: Creamy, rich spread that forms the primary flavor and binding element of the dessert.

• Powdered Sugar: Fine sugar that helps create a smooth, sweet texture and helps set the filling.
• Butter, Vanilla Extract, Salt: Classic flavor enhancers that balance sweetness and add depth to the peanut butter layer.

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, Shortening: Smooth chocolate coating that provides a rich, glossy finish and helps create a stable chocolate layer for the bars.

Peanut Butter Squares Recipe

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• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Homemade peanut butter squares deliver creamy chocolate-topped indulgence straight from childhood memories. Layers of graham cracker crust, rich peanut butter filling, and smooth chocolate glaze promise sweet comfort you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups creamy peanut butter
• 4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 3½ cups powdered sugar

Base and Binding Ingredients:

• 14 whole graham cracker sheets
• 8 tablespoons (½ cup / 113 grams) butter, softened
• 4 tablespoons (¼ cup / 57 grams) shortening

Flavoring and Seasoning:

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare a glass baking dish by coating the interior with non-stick spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the dessert.
2. Create graham cracker crumbs by placing whole graham cracker sheets inside a sealed plastic bag and crushing them into fine, uniform fragments using a rolling pin or flat surface.
3. Craft the peanut butter filling by blending peanut butter, softened butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in a mixing bowl until thoroughly incorporated.
4. Gradually fold powdered sugar into the peanut butter mixture, stirring consistently until the texture becomes smooth and spreadable.
5. Melt chocolate chips with shortening in a microwave-safe container, heating in brief 30-second intervals and stirring between each session to achieve a glossy, uniform consistency.
6. Construct the first layer by arranging whole graham crackers across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a solid foundation.
7. Drizzle and spread one-third of the melted chocolate evenly over the graham cracker base, ensuring complete coverage.
8. Carefully distribute flattened portions of the peanut butter mixture atop the chocolate layer, creating a uniform blanket of creamy filling.
9. Apply another one-third of the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer, covering it completely.
10. Position the remaining graham crackers on top of the chocolate layer and generously coat with the final portion of melted chocolate.
11. Sprinkle the reserved graham cracker crumbs across the surface for added texture and visual appeal.
12. Refrigerate the dessert for a minimum of one hour to allow the layers to set and flavors to meld together.
13. Once chilled, slice into square portions and serve immediately for a delectable treat.

Notes

• Prepare your kitchen workspace with a glass baking dish, non-stick spray, and all ingredients measured and ready.
• Crushing graham crackers in a sealed bag creates a perfect textural base, releasing their sweet, nutty flavor for the dessert.
• Melting chocolate smoothly requires gentle heat and consistent stirring, transforming chips into a glossy, silky coating that binds the layers together.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 445
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg