Dreamy Peanut Butter Blossom Bars Recipe

Irresistible Peanut Butter Blossom Bars Recipe Made Simple

Soft, chewy, and irresistibly delicious, these peanut butter blossom bars combine classic cookie comfort with a modern twist.

The beloved chocolate-topped treat gets a delightful makeover in bar form, promising pure indulgence in every bite.

Buttery peanut butter dough creates a rich, melt-in-your-mouth base that brings nostalgic memories flooding back.

Hershey’s kisses nestled on top add a perfect chocolatey crown to this crowd-pleasing dessert.

The bars offer a simple yet spectacular approach to the traditional cookie, making them ideal for bake sales, potlucks, or weekend treats.

With minimal effort and maximum flavor, you’ll fall in love with this effortless spin on a timeless classic.

Grab a plate and get ready to savor every sweet, nutty morsel of this irresistible dessert.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 22 minutes

Total Time: 37 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 17

Peanut Butter Blossom Bars Ingredient Checklist

For Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Brings rich, creamy texture and helps bind ingredients together, choose unsalted for better flavor control.
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a soft, chewy texture, look for fine-grained, fresh sugars.
  • Peanut Butter: Adds deep nutty flavor and moisture, select creamy style for smooth consistency.
  • Egg: Acts as a binding agent and creates structure, use fresh, room temperature egg for best results.
  • Milk: Enhances moisture and helps blend ingredients smoothly, whole milk recommended for richer taste.
For Dry Ingredients:
  • Flour: Creates foundation of the bar, use all-purpose flour for consistent texture.
  • Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Provides lift and helps bars rise evenly, ensure they're fresh and not expired.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile, use fine table salt.
For Topping and Finishing:
  • Milk Chocolate Chips: Adds extra chocolate burst throughout bars, choose high-quality chips for best melting.
  • Hershey's Kisses: Creates signature decorative center and chocolate accent, unwrap just before placing on warm bars.

Tools to Bake Peanut Butter Blossom Bars

  • Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining all ingredients smoothly and thoroughly.
  • Baking Dish (9×13 inch): Perfect for creating evenly baked, golden-edged bars.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Electric Mixer or Whisk: Helps blend butter, sugars, and peanut butter until creamy.
  • Spatula: Great for scraping down bowl sides and spreading dough evenly.
  • Toothpick: Helps check for doneness by testing bar center.
  • Cooling Rack (optional): Allows bars to cool completely and maintain crisp edges.

Baking Instructions for Peanut Butter Bars

  • Preparation Zone

Set up your kitchen workspace with all necessary tools and preheat the oven to create a warm baking environment.

  • Creamy Mixture

Blend together soft butter, sugars, peanut butter, and egg until the mixture looks smooth and inviting.

  • Dough Creation

Fold in dry ingredients and chocolate chips, mixing until a soft, cohesive dough emerges that promises delicious results.

  • Pan Magic

Spread the dough evenly across the baking dish, sprinkling a light sugar dusting for extra texture and sparkle.

  • Baking Moment

Slide the pan into the oven and watch as golden edges develop, signaling the bars are transforming into a delectable treat.

  • Chocolate Kiss Finale

Once removed from the oven, gently nestle a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each bar while the dough is still warm.

  • Cooling and Serving

Let the bars rest and cool completely, allowing the chocolate to set and flavors to meld before cutting into perfect squares.

Tips for Chocolate Placement and Peanut Flavor

  • Swap Hershey's Kisses with different chocolate varieties like caramel-filled or dark chocolate versions for unique flavor profiles.
  • Fold in chopped peanuts or crispy bacon bits into the dough for added crunch and unexpected savory notes that elevate the classic recipe.
  • Refrigerate bars for up to 5 days in an airtight container, or freeze for longer preservation without compromising taste or texture.
  • Replace traditional peanut butter with almond or cashew butter to create delightful nutty alternatives that cater to different taste preferences.
  • Drizzle melted chocolate or caramel over cooled bars to transform their appearance and add an extra layer of indulgent flavor.

Serving Peanut Butter Blossom Bars with Style

  • Sweet Milk Chocolate Drizzle: Melt additional chocolate chips and create elegant swirls across the cooled bars for extra decadence and visual appeal.
  • Nutty Companion Pairing: Serve alongside vanilla bean ice cream or sprinkle chopped roasted peanuts on top to enhance the rich peanut butter flavor profile.
  • Coffee Shop Style Presentation: Dust the bars lightly with powdered sugar and arrange on a rustic wooden board for an Instagram-worthy dessert platter that looks professionally crafted.
  • Festive Gift Packaging: Stack bars between parchment paper layers and wrap in cellophane with a decorative ribbon for a homemade gift that friends and family will absolutely adore.

Best Storage Method for Peanut Blossom Bars

  • Freshness First: Keep these delightful bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum taste and texture.
  • Chilled Delight Strategy: Refrigerate the bars to extend their shelf life up to 7 days, creating a slightly firmer, cool treat that maintains its original deliciousness.
  • Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to enjoy for up to 3 months – perfect for future sweet cravings.
  • Smart Separation Technique: Place parchment paper between layers when storing multiple bars to prevent sticking and maintain their beautiful Kiss-topped appearance.
Print
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Dreamy Peanut Butter Blossom Bars Recipe

Dreamy Peanut Butter Blossom Bars Recipe


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4.7 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 37 minutes
  • Yield: 17 1x

Description

Peanut butter blossom bars blend classic cookie flavors into an irresistible dessert bar. Chocolate-topped squares deliver nostalgic comfort with rich, sweet notes that invite homemade happiness.


Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) creamy peanut butter
  • ½ cup (115 g / 4 oz) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 1.5 cups (360 ml / 12 fl oz) all-purpose flour
  • ⅔ cup (113 g / 4 oz) milk chocolate chips
  • 1 large egg
  • ¾ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 24 Hershey’s Kisses

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure effortless release of the bars.
  2. Base Creation: Blend softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, peanut butter, and egg until the mixture transforms into a light, aerated consistency with a uniform texture.
  3. Dough Formation: Integrate flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the wet mixture, folding gently to maintain the dough’s delicate structure. Fold in milk chocolate chips for bursts of sweetness.
  4. Pan Distribution: Spread the dough evenly across the prepared baking dish, using gentle pressure to create a smooth, consistent layer. Dust the surface with a light sprinkle of granulated sugar for a crystalline finish.
  5. Baking Process: Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 20-22 minutes. Monitor the edges for a golden-brown hue and test doneness with a toothpick that should emerge clean when inserted into the center.
  6. Chocolate Accent: Immediately after removing from the oven, while the bars remain warm and pliable, press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each bar, allowing the chocolate to melt slightly and create a perfect union with the peanut butter base.
  7. Cooling and Serving: Let the bars cool completely within the baking dish to facilitate clean cutting. Slice into individual bars and store in an airtight container to preserve their soft, decadent texture.

Notes

  • Butter Softening Tip: Ensure butter is at room temperature for smooth, even mixing that creates a fluffy base without lumps.
  • Sugar Sprinkling Technique: Gently dust granulated sugar before baking to achieve a delightful crispy golden crust with subtle crunch.
  • Chocolate Kiss Placement: Press Hershey’s Kisses immediately after baking while bars are warm, allowing chocolate to melt slightly and create a beautiful glossy finish.
  • Storage Strategy: Keep bars in airtight container to preserve moisture and prevent them from becoming dry or crumbly within 3-4 days.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 22 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 17
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 80 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 mg
Mia Reynolds

Mia Reynolds

Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist

Expertise

Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners

Education

New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont

  • Certificate: Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on baking skills, pastry basics, and creating delicious, approachable baked goods.

Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont

  • Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
  • Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.

Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.

Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.

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