These Peanut Butter Fudge Bars are a dreamy blend of creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate, offering a perfect balance of sweet and salty. With a soft, chewy base and a decadent fudge topping, every bite is a delightful contrast of textures. Ready in just 55 minutes, they’re an effortless treat that feels indulgent yet comforting. Packed with 4g of protein per bar, they’re a satisfying snack or dessert that won’t leave you feeling weighed down.
The combination of smooth peanut butter and velvety chocolate creates a flavor explosion that’s hard to resist. Each bar is 220 calories of pure joy, with a hint of nutty richness and a touch of sweetness. Whether you’re sharing with friends or savoring solo, these bars are a crowd-pleaser that’s as easy to make as it is to love. Perfect for any occasion, they’re a treat you’ll want to keep coming back to.
Ingredients for Peanut Butter Fudge Bars
- Peanut Butter Layer:
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (125 g) creamy peanut butter (avoid natural peanut butter that separates)
- ½ cup (100 g) sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, tightly packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ⅓ cup + 2 Tablespoons (180 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Fudge Layer:
- 1 ½ cups (255 g) semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 14-oz (397 g) can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 Tablespoons (28 g) butter
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9 pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper, leaving enough overhang to easily lift the bars later. Lightly butter the foil if using.
- Make the peanut butter layer: In a stand mixer or with an electric hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and peanut butter until smooth.
- Add the sugar and brown sugar, and beat until well combined.
- Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the peanut butter mixture on low speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Assemble the base: Press half of the peanut butter batter evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Set aside the remaining batter.
- Make the fudge layer: In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter. Stir frequently until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt. Let cool for 5 minutes.
- Layer the fudge: Pour the chocolate fudge mixture evenly over the peanut butter base. Crumble the remaining peanut butter batter over the top.
- Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 23-25 minutes. Optionally, sprinkle with flaky sea salt while still warm.
- Cool and set: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. For the fudge to fully set, let it rest for 4-6 hours before cutting and serving.
Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions
These Peanut Butter Fudge Bars are delicious on their own, but you can elevate them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce. For a festive touch, sprinkle crushed peanuts or mini chocolate chips on top before serving. They’re also great with a glass of cold milk or a cup of coffee for a cozy treat.
Keep It Fresh: Storage Tips
Store your bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Mix It Up: Recipe Variations
Try swapping the semisweet chocolate chips for dark or milk chocolate for a different flavor profile. You can also add a layer of crushed pretzels or graham crackers between the peanut butter base and fudge for a sweet-and-salty twist. For a nut-free version, use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter.
Quick Tips for Success
To save time, use a food processor to mix the peanut butter batter. If you’re short on time, pop the bars in the fridge for 1-2 hours to speed up the fudge setting process. Always use creamy peanut butter (not natural) for the best texture and consistency.
Common Questions Answered
Can I use natural peanut butter?
It’s best to avoid natural peanut butter as it can separate and affect the texture.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes! Use a 9×13 pan and adjust the baking time by 5-10 minutes.
Why is my fudge layer soft?
Let the bars cool completely and chill in the fridge if needed to firm up the fudge.
Peanut Butter Fudge Bars
Ingredients
Peanut Butter Layer
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter do not use natural peanut butter that separates
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar tightly packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ⅓ cup + 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Fudge layer
- 1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 14-oz sweetened condensed milk
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C)
- Prepare a 9×9 pan by lining with aluminum foil or parchment paper — use enough so that it hangs over the edge of the pan (this will make it easy to lift the finished bars out of the pan). If using aluminum foil, lightly butter the foil. Set aside.
- In KitchenAid or with electric hand mixer, cream together butter and peanut butter.
- Add sugars and beat sugars until well-combined.
- Add egg and vanilla extract, stir well.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually, on low speed, add flour mixture to peanut butter mixture, pausing occasionally to scrape down sides of bowl.
- Press half of the peanut butter bar batter evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Set aside the remaining batter while you prepare your fudge.
- Chocolate Fudge
- Combine chocolate chips, condensed milk, and butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Stir frequently until chocolate chips are completely melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt. Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
- Pour chocolate mixture evenly over your prepared peanut butter blondie base. Sprinkle fudge with remaining fudge mixture.
- Bake on 350F (175C) for 23-25 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with flaky sea salt while still warm.
- Allow to cool completely before cutting and serving. Because the fudge will need to set, it may need to set as long as 4-6 hours before the fudge is completely firm.
