Recipes

Peanut Butter Dream Bars

March 14, 2022

299

Peanut butter dream bars are loaded with chocolate pudding, a fluffy layer of cream cheese and peanut butter, and a cookie base for a sinfully delicious treat.

Layers of fluffy whipped cream, silky chocolate pudding, and creamy peanut butter make these peanut butter dream bars a dream come true. This almost no-bake recipe is so decadent with the classic chocolate and peanut butter combination, it will become your new favorite indulgent treat

For the Crust:

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray an 8×8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

STEP TWO: Using a small mixing bowl, combine the crushed cookies and the melted butter. Stir cookie base ingredients to completely coat all the crumbs.

overhead shot of raw ingredients in glass bowls

PRO TIP

To crush cookies, you can either use a food processor or a rolling pin and a Ziploc bag.

STEP THREE: Press crumb mixture into the bottom of pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove the baking dish from the oven and allow the baked crust to cool completely.

overhead shot of crushed peanut butter cookies inside of dish

For the Chocolate Pudding Layer:

STEP ONE: Using a small bowl and a handheld electric mixer on medium speed or a wire whisk, beat together the chocolate pudding mix and the cold milk. Continue mixing until the pudding is thickened.

overhead shot of raw ingredients being mixed with mixer

STEP TWO: Use either a silicone spatula or an offset spatula, evenly spread the chocolate layer over the cooled crust. Set it in the refrigerator while you make the peanut butter layer.

overhead shot of chocolate layer being added on top of cookie layer

For the Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Layer

STEP ONE: Using a medium bowl and a hand mixer on medium-high speed, beat the cream cheese for about 1 minute until smooth.

PRO TIP

Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature so that you don’t end up with lumps in your layer.

STEP TWO: Add the creamy peanut butter and continue mixing on medium-high for an additional 30 seconds – 1 minute, until smooth.

overhead shot of raw ingredient in glass bowls being mixed

STEP THREE: Reduce the mixer speed to low, slowly add in the confectioners’ sugar and continue to mix until completely incorporated.

overhead shot of raw ingredient in a bowl being mixed

STEP FOUR: Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and evenly spread the peanut butter mixture over the top of the chocolate pudding layer.

STEP FIVE: Top the peanut butter layer with the 8-ounce tub of whipped topping.

STEP SIX: Evenly sprinkle peanut butter and milk chocolate chips over the whipped topping.

STEP SEVEN: Evenly sprinkle the crushed sandwich cookies over the peanut butter and chocolate chips.

overhead shot showing layers of ingredients being added

STEP EIGHT: Return the baking dish to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours.

STEP NINE: Cut the dessert into 2-inch x 2-inch squares.

HOW TO SERVE

Serve up your easy chocolate peanut butter dream bars either on their own or as a base for an even more decadent dessert. A scoop of ice cream on the side and perhaps even a drizzle of caramel sauce on top would make this treat out-of-this-world amazing.

STORAGE

IN THE FRIDGE: Keep any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. IN

THE FREEZER: You can also freeze the peanut butter bars. Cover with plastic wrap and a layer of aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Allow the peanut butter bars to thaw before cutting and serving.

The chocolate and peanut butter filling are such a perfect combination. Adding whipped cream and a cookie base makes this dessert a rich and decadent treat to whip up for a gathering or a weeknight surprise. Share these nearly no-bake peanut butter dream bars with friends, or keep it all to yourself!