Reese's No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

These peanut butter cookie bars are rich, creamy, and topped with a smooth layer of chocolate that tastes just like your favorite candy bar. They're no bake and easy to make, with that classic lunch lady bar texture everyone remembers. You'll learn how to make a quick dessert that's simple, sweet, and full of peanut butter and Reese's Pieces flavor. Pin this recipe now so you can whip up a batch anytime a chocolate craving hits!

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Why is this the best Reese's no-bake peanut butter bar recipe

It's a simple recipe. This recipe uses common pantry ingredients, and you likely already have them on hand. If you need to go grocery shopping, all these ingredients can be found at your local grocery store or purchased on Amazon.

It's very easy. All you have to do is place store-bought Reese's cups on the bottom of your dish, then mix a few ingredients, spread the dough on top of the Reese's cups. Pour the chocolate over everything and wait for them to set up. Slice and enjoy!

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It tastes amazing! The combination of the graham cracker base with Reese's peanut butter cups and Reese's pieces, topped with an easy chocolate ganache, is out of this world good. These flavors make a perfect combination, and they are always a big hit!

It's perfect for sports, potlucks, and all your holiday parties. These no-bake peanut butter bars are always a hit with my family and friends, and I bet yours will devour them, too!

What you'll need to make no-bake peanut butter bars

Equipment

• 9x9 casserole dish - You can use a slightly bigger or smaller pan, but the 9-inch size dish creates the perfect size bars.
• Parchment paper - These bars are tough to get out of the pan without a layer of parchment paper. It prevents the bars from sticking to the casserole dish and makes for easy clean up later.
• Food processor - This is to finely chop the graham crackers for the crust. If you don't have a food processor, you can put them in a zippered plastic bag (a durable one!) and use a rolling pin to crush them.

Ingredients  

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See the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for all measurements and nutritional information.

• Reese's Peanut Butter Cups - These are the base of the peanut butter bars.
• Graham crackers - You will make a graham cracker crust for the bottom of the bars. You could also use Oreos for the crust or shortbread cookies like Biscoff.
• Salted butter - This needs to be melted.
• Powdered sugar - Powdered sugar melts easily into the butter with no graininess and no need to melt anything on the stove.
• Creamy peanut butter - You do not want to use all-natural peanut butter in this recipe! It will separate and make your Reese's bars weird and unpleasant.
• Brown sugar - This needs to be packed tightly in the measuring cup.
• Reese's Pieces - These go in all the layers. I almost called them Reese's Piece Bars!
• Milk chocolate chips - You will melt these and use them to top the peanut butter bars for that ultimate peanut butter cup flavor.

How to make Reese's bars

For the peanut butter cup bars

1. Prepare a 9x9 baking dish by lining the bottom with parchment paper.
2. Line the bottom of the pan with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups turned upside down.
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3. Place graham crackers in a food processor to make crumbs.
   
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4. In a large mixing bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, powdered sugar, peanut butter, and brown sugar. Mix together until well combined.
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5. Press the dough into the prepared pan on top of the Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
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6. Pour the Reese's Pieces over the dough and press them in.
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For the chocolate peanut butter ganache

1. Add the chocolate chips and peanut butter to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring well after each burst, until smooth. It should take only a minute or so.
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2. Pour the warm ganache over the bars and spread out evenly.
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3. Crush half of the Reese's Pieces by placing them in a zippered plastic bag and pressing them with the bottom of a measuring cup or glass. Sprinkle over the top of the ganache. Sprinkle with the remaining Reese's Pieces and gently press them into the warm chocolate with your hand.
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4. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to set.
5. Slice to desired size and serve chilled.
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Substitutions & variations

If you have a peanut allergy, you can use almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option. And of course, gluten-free graham crackers if you need a GF base.

Swap graham crackers for pretzels, vanilla wafers, Biscoff cookies, or Oreos for a different flavor base.

To add a little extra crunch, add a half cup of crushed Rice Krispies or cornflakes to the peanut butter layer.
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Press mini pretzels into the top chocolate ganache layer before chilling for a sweet-salty combo.

For a holiday version: top with seasonal candies, crushed peppermint, or colored sprinkles to match the occasion.

Storing leftovers

If your kitchen is cool, you can keep your peanut butter bars at room temperature for up to 3 days. Store in an airtight container, with parchment paper (or foil) between the layers to prevent sticking. Keep out of direct sunlight and away from any heat source (they can soften or get greasy if warm).

For a firmer texture, place peanut butter bars in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Let them sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before serving if you want them to be slightly softer.

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These bars freeze really well! Wrap each bar in parchment paper or plastic wrap, place them all in a freezer-safe bag or container, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge overnight or at room temperature for about 30 minutes before eating.

Check out more delicious bar recipes:

• Peanut Butter Cheesecake Brownies (AKA PB Cream Cheese Brownie Bars)
• Cranberry Crumble Bars
• Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars
• Easy Key Lime Pie Bars
• Toasted S'mores Bars - Copycat Starbucks Recipe

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