Ultimate Triple-Layer Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars: Fudgy Brownie, Creamy Filling & Chocolate Topping
Prepare yourself for an extraordinary treat that marries two of the most beloved flavors: rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter. These Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars are a dessert dream come true, featuring a luxurious three-layer construction that promises pure bliss with every bite. Imagine a dense, fudgy brownie base, overflowing with deep chocolate flavor, topped with a thick, irresistibly creamy peanut butter filling. To crown this masterpiece, a smooth, glossy layer of melted chocolate chips creates the perfect finish, often sprinkled with crunchy honey-roasted peanuts for an added touch of texture and sweetness.
The combination of chocolate and peanut butter is a classic for a reason – their rich, decadent flavors complement each other beautifully, creating a harmonious balance that satisfies every craving. These bars elevate that classic pairing to new heights, offering an experience that’s both comforting and utterly indulgent. Whether you’re a long-time fan of this dynamic duo or new to its magic, these bars are guaranteed to become a new favorite in your baking repertoire.
Meet the Creator: Christin from Spicy Southern Kitchen
We are absolutely thrilled to share this incredible recipe from Christin of Spicy Southern Kitchen. Christin is truly a blogging idol, known for her heartwarming family stories woven into her posts and the undeniable love she pours into every recipe. Her blog is a treasure trove of crave-worthy sweets and hearty, filling Southern dinners. Just a glance at her Skillet Chicken Pot Pie with a Cheddar Crust, a slice of her Chocolate Chess Pie, or her Slow Cooker Chocolate Brownies, and you’ll understand why her creations are so irresistible. She even has a recipe for my all-time Southern favorite: Flying Biscuits Sweet Biscuits! Her ability to NAIL classic flavors, especially when it comes to chocolate and peanut butter, is simply unmatched.
Christin is generously guest posting for Lindsey today, while Lindsey is off in New York delving into the world of advanced pastry techniques. Lindsey’s Instagram has been a flurry of amazing pastry creations, particularly those cupcakes – truly breathtaking! We can only imagine the incredible desserts she’ll be bringing back from pastry school. Atlanta bakeries, watch out!
The Anatomy of Perfection: Three Irresistible Layers
What makes these Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars truly exceptional is their thoughtful construction, layer by decadent layer:
- The Fudgy Brownie Base: This isn’t just any brownie; it’s a rich, dense, and deeply chocolatey foundation that provides the perfect counterpoint to the sweetness of the other layers. Its fudgy texture ensures a satisfying chew and a burst of intense chocolate flavor with every bite.
- The Creamy Peanut Butter Filling: Nestled atop the brownie, this thick and luscious peanut butter layer is the heart of the bars. Made with softened butter, peanut butter, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla, it’s incredibly smooth, sweet, and packed with that distinctive nutty taste. It’s the perfect creamy texture to balance the brownie’s chewiness.
- The Decadent Chocolate Topping: A final blanket of melted chocolate chips creates a firm, shiny top layer that adds another dimension of chocolatey goodness. This layer perfectly seals in the peanut butter and adds a subtle snap when you bite into it. To complete the experience, a sprinkle of chopped honey-roasted peanuts adds a delightful crunch and enhances the nutty profile.
Tips for Crafting Your Best Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Achieving perfection with these bars is simpler than you might think. Here are a few tips to ensure your homemade treats are nothing short of spectacular:
- Proper Brownie Texture: Don’t overbake the brownie layer! It’s okay for the center to look slightly moist when you pull it from the oven, as it will continue to set as it cools, resulting in that coveted fudgy texture.
- Smooth Peanut Butter Filling: Ensure your butter for the filling is truly softened. This will help you achieve a silky-smooth peanut butter layer without any lumps. Beat it thoroughly with the peanut butter before gradually adding the confectioners’ sugar.
- Chilling is Key: The freezer time for the peanut butter layer is crucial. It helps the filling firm up, preventing it from mixing with the warm chocolate topping and allowing for cleaner, more distinct layers. Don’t skip the final refrigeration step; it makes cutting the bars much easier and ensures they hold their shape beautifully.
- Melting Chocolate for Topping: When melting the chocolate chips for the topping, do it gently. Microwaving in short intervals (20 seconds) and stirring frequently prevents scorching. The optional shortening helps create a smoother, more spreadable chocolate that sets beautifully.
- Even Spreading: Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread each layer evenly across the pan. This creates a visually appealing bar with uniform thickness in all three layers.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
This recipe yields a generous 9×13-inch pan full of these delightful bars, meaning there’s plenty to share (or to keep all to yourself!). Whether you cut them into large, indulgent squares or smaller, bite-sized pieces for a party, they are perfect for any occasion. A tall glass of cold milk is the ultimate accompaniment, cutting through the sweetness and enhancing the rich flavors. Store any leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. They are equally delicious straight from the fridge or allowed to come to room temperature for a slightly softer texture.
We promise, these Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars are more than just a dessert; they’re an experience. They embody everything wonderful about homemade treats – the joy of creating, the satisfaction of a perfect bite, and the happiness of sharing. We encourage you to try this recipe and experience the magic for yourself. Thank you, Christin, for sharing your incredible talent and this truly unforgettable recipe with us!
For more amazing recipes and heartwarming stories, you absolutely must visit Spicy Southern Kitchen. And don’t forget to follow Christin on her social media channels to stay updated with all her delicious creations: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!
Triple Layer Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
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Ingredients
Batter
- 1 cup butter cut each stick in half
- 5 ounces semisweet chocolate chopped
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups flour
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Peanut Butter Filling
- 1 ½ cups peanut butter
- ½ cup butter softened
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
- 1 12-ounce bag semisweet chocolate morsels
- ½ tablespoon shortening optional
- ½ cup chopped honey roasted peanuts
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a 13X9-inch baking pan with heavy duty aluminum foil. Spray foil with cooking spray.
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In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the 1 cup butter and chopped chocolate. Microwave on HIGH for 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until melted. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract.
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Gradually add chocolate mixture while whisking continuously.
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Using a wooden spoon or sturdy rubber spatula, mix in flour, cocoa powder, and salt.
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Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 20-22 minutes or until set in middle. (It’s ok for it to still look slightly undercooked in the middle.) Let cool.
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Using an electric mixer, beat peanut butter and ½ cup softened butter until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar. Beat in vanilla.
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Spread peanut butter filling on top of cooled brownies, smoothing with a spatula. Place in freezer for 15 minutes.
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Place chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 20 second intervals, stirring after each, until melted.
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Spread melted chocolate on top of peanut butter filling. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts.
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Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before cutting into bars.