Indulge in these no-bake Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bars when your sweet tooth strikes but you’re not up for heating the oven! Crafted with simple, wholesome ingredients like almond flour, maple syrup, and dark chocolate, these bars offer a delightful twist on the classic Reese’s cup.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bars are crafted from basic pantry essentials, keeping it simple and healthy.
- This recipe whips up in a breeze, perfect for quick cravings!
- As is, it caters to various dietary preferences: vegan, dairy-free, plant-based, gluten-free, and grain-free!
- Plus, it’s refined sugar-free, depending on the dark chocolate chosen.
- Ideal for those oven-free moments when you desire a treat.
- Store them in your freezer for a convenient dessert option.
- These bars boast a delectable cookie dough base, crowned with a luscious blend of dark chocolate and peanut butter.
Tips And Tricks:
- Blend the wet ingredients before adding them to the dry mix for thorough incorporation.
- Opt for a blend of chocolate chips and chunks to ensure chocolate in every bite.
- Microwave the chocolate mixture in short bursts, stirring well between each, until smooth and creamy.
- Enhance the aesthetics and flavor by swirling additional peanut butter on top with a toothpick—it’s a delightful touch.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I indulge in this cookie dough alone? Absolutely! It’s entirely edible and delightful on its own.
- Can I swap almond flour for another flour? Oat flour is a suitable substitute, but you might need to tweak other ingredients slightly for the desired texture.
- Will these bars be too salty with flaky sea salt on top? It’s a matter of preference! If using unsalted peanut butter, the flaky sea salt adds the perfect finishing touch.
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bars
Servings 16 bars
Ingredients
Cookie Dough Layer:
- 1.5 cups almond flour
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup creamy natural peanut butter
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon 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 tablespoon coconut or extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine almond flour and salt; set aside.
- In another bowl, mix peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until well combined. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. The mixture should hold together when pinched. If too crumbly, add more peanut butter.
- Fold in chocolate chips, then press the cookie dough into a parchment-lined 8×8 baking dish.
- In a small bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter, and oil in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth.
- Pour the chocolate mixture over the cookie dough, then dollop on peanut butter and swirl with a toothpick if desired. Freeze for 1 hour to set.
- Cut into bars, top with flaky sea salt if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
- Mixing the wet ingredients before adding them to the dry ensures thorough incorporation.
- Use a blend of chocolate chips and chunks for a chocolate-filled experience.
- Microwave the chocolate mixture in short bursts until smooth.
- Swirl additional peanut butter on top for added flair—it’s both pretty and tasty!