Irresistible Peanut Butter Oreo Bars: The Ultimate Easy Dessert Recipe
Dive into the perfect marriage of creamy peanut butter and crunchy chocolate Oreos with these incredible Peanut Butter Oreo Bars! This recipe brings together a rich, chewy peanut butter cookie base loaded with delightful bits of crushed Oreo cookies. It’s truly the ideal balance of sweet, salty, and satisfying textures that will leave everyone craving more.
Remember the iconic movie Parent Trap starring Lindsay Lohan? That film introduced many of us to what is arguably one of the most classic and beloved flavor combinations of all time: peanut butter and Oreo cookies. Inspired by this timeless pairing, I’ve created these easy and utterly delicious Peanut Butter Oreo Bars. They’re a fantastic way to enjoy that nostalgic flavor in a convenient bar form, perfect for sharing (or not!).
If you’re as much of a fan of Oreo or peanut butter as I am, you’ll love exploring these other delightful recipes:
- Bakery Style Oreo Chocolate Chip Cookies
- The Finest and Ultimate Cookies And Cream Cake
- The Best Birthday Golden Oreo Blondies
Why These Peanut Butter Oreo Bars Are an Absolute Must-Try
These aren’t just any dessert bars; they’re a celebration of flavor and simplicity. Here are compelling reasons why these Peanut Butter Oreo Bars should be next on your baking list:
- Irresistibly Chewy Peanut Butter Base – The foundation of these bars is a rich and incredibly chewy peanut butter cookie base. We achieve this fantastic texture by creaming smooth, delicious peanut butter directly into the batter, ensuring a deep, authentic peanut butter flavor in every bite. It’s dense, moist, and perfectly holds all those crunchy Oreo pieces.
- Effortlessly Easy to Make – When I say easy, I truly mean it. This recipe is designed for minimal fuss. You simply combine the ingredients in a single bowl, mix them together, spread the dough, and bake. It’s perfect for beginner bakers or anyone looking for a quick, impressive dessert without complicated steps.
- No Tedious Shaping Required – Forget the hassle of rolling out dough or shaping individual cookies. For these bars, you just press the entire batch of dough evenly into an 8×8 inch baking pan. This saves significant time and effort, making it a go-to recipe for busy days or impromptu cravings.
- The Ultimate Flavor Combination – This recipe is a dream come true for anyone who adores the classic pairing of Oreos and peanut butter. The rich, salty notes of peanut butter perfectly complement the sweet, dark chocolate crunch of the Oreos. And let’s be honest, who *doesn’t* love this dynamic duo? It’s a match made in dessert heaven!
- The Distinctive Taste of Oreo Cookies – The dark chocolate flavor of Oreo cookies provides a wonderful contrast to the creamy, slightly salty peanut butter. The crushed pieces add a delightful textural crunch that elevates the entire bar, making each bite an exciting experience.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Peanut Butter Oreo Bars
Crafting these delicious bars requires just a few basic ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. For precise measurements, please refer to the detailed recipe card below.
- Unsalted Butter – I always opt for unsalted butter in my baking. This gives you complete control over the total salt content in your recipe, allowing you to perfectly balance the flavors. Make sure it’s melted for easy incorporation.
- Granulated Sugar – Provides the essential sweetness and contributes to the chewy texture of the bars.
- Eggs – You’ll need two large eggs for this recipe: one whole egg and an additional egg yolk. Using room temperature eggs is crucial as they emulsify better with other ingredients, creating a smoother, more uniform batter and a richer, chewier bar. The extra yolk adds richness and chewiness.
- Creamy Peanut Butter – The star of the show! I personally love using Jif creamy peanut butter for its consistent texture and flavor, but feel free to use your preferred brand. Just ensure it’s a creamy variety, not natural peanut butter that separates, as this can affect the texture of the bars.
- Pure Vanilla Extract – A splash of good quality vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors, adding depth and warmth to the bars.
- All-Purpose Flour – The structural component of our cookie base. Make sure to measure it correctly, either by weight or by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off.
- Baking Powder – This leavening agent helps the bars rise slightly, contributing to their soft and chewy interior.
- Salt – A pinch of salt is vital to balance the sweetness and truly bring out the rich flavors of both the peanut butter and chocolate.
- Ground Cinnamon (Optional but Recommended) – A subtle addition that adds a lovely warmth and complexity, complementing the chocolate and peanut butter beautifully.
- Oreo Cookies – The iconic chocolate sandwich cookies! I used a regular-sized package of classic Oreos. You can use either regular or Double Stuf, depending on your preference for cream filling. Make sure they are slightly crushed for the perfect texture distribution throughout the bars. A few extra for garnish are always a good idea!
Expert Baking Tips for Flawless Bars Every Time
Achieving the perfect Peanut Butter Oreo Bars is simple with these expert tips:
- Invest in a High-Quality Light-Colored Pan: This is an incredibly important tip for any bar or blondie recipe. Light-colored metal pans conduct heat more gently and evenly, which prevents the edges and bottom of your bars from burning or becoming overly dark before the center is fully cooked. A dark pan can lead to crispy, burnt edges. I highly recommend a pan like the Fat Daddio’s anodized aluminum square cake pan, which you can find here.
- Always Preheat Your Oven Thoroughly: Don’t rush this step! For consistent baking results, preheat your oven for at least 30 minutes before you even think about putting your pan in. Ovens fluctuate in temperature, and giving it ample time to reach and stabilize at the target temperature (350°F or 175°C) will ensure even baking and prevent undercooked centers or overcooked edges.
- Embrace More Oreos (If You Dare!): If you’re an absolute Oreo connoisseur, don’t hesitate to toss in extra crushed Oreos into the batter! You can also press more whole or roughly chopped Oreos onto the top of the dough before baking for an even more intense chocolatey crunch and a beautiful presentation.
- Room Temperature Eggs are Key: As mentioned in the ingredients, room temperature eggs mix more easily and uniformly with the other ingredients, creating a smoother, more emulsified batter. This leads to a better texture in your finished bars. If you forget to take them out, place them in a bowl of warm water for 5-10 minutes.
- Measure Flour Correctly: For baking, accuracy matters. Too much flour can make your bars dry and dense. Use a kitchen scale for the most accurate measurement, or if using measuring cups, spoon the flour into the cup and then level it off with a straight edge (don’t scoop directly from the bag).
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, dense bars instead of the desired chewy texture.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Delicious Peanut Butter Oreo Bars
Making these bars is a straightforward process, perfect for any baker. While an electric hand mixer can make the whisking steps a bit easier, it’s not strictly necessary. You can use either a stand mixer with a paddle attachment for ultimate convenience or a hand mixer if you prefer. I used a hand mixer for this recipe. Here are the mixing bowls I recommend.
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Pan. Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven preheats, line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper, allowing an overhang on the sides for easy lifting later. Spray the parchment paper lightly with cooking spray to ensure nothing sticks. This preparation is key for smooth removal of your baked bars. Set the prepared pan aside.
Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients (Butter, Sugar, Peanut Butter). In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted unsalted butter and granulated sugar until they are thoroughly combined and create a smooth mixture. Next, add the creamy peanut butter and whisk it vigorously into the butter-sugar mixture for about 30-45 seconds. This energetic whisking helps to fully incorporate the peanut butter, ensuring a uniform and flavorful base.
Step 3: Introduce Eggs and Vanilla. Add the large whole egg, the additional large egg yolk, and the pure vanilla extract to your wet mixture. Continue to whisk these ingredients together until they are fully integrated and the mixture appears smooth and well-emulsified. Room temperature eggs will blend much more easily here.
Step 4: Fold in the Dry Ingredients and Crushed Oreos. Switch from a whisk to a rubber spatula. Add all the dry ingredients at once: the all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and the star of the show, the slightly crushed Oreos. Gently fold these ingredients into the wet mixture using the spatula. Mix just until no dry streaks of flour remain, being careful not to overmix, which can lead to tough bars.
Step 5: Transfer Dough to Pan. Take your prepared dough and evenly press it into the bottom of the lined 8×8 inch pan. Use your hands or the back of the spatula to ensure it’s spread uniformly across the pan. This step is crucial for even baking.
Optional Embellishment: For an extra special touch and a more visually appealing finish, you can swirl dollops of melted peanut butter over the top of the pressed dough. Then, arrange whole and/or additional slightly crushed Oreos decoratively on the surface before baking. This adds a beautiful gourmet look and extra flavor!
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection. Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for 22-25 minutes. Baking times can vary slightly depending on your oven’s calibration. For reference, my oven tends to run a little cool, and these bars typically take about 24 minutes to achieve perfect doneness. The bars are ready when the edges are lightly golden, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Peanut Butter Oreo Bars
Got questions about making these delectable Peanut Butter Oreo Bars? Here are some common queries and their answers:
Q: What if I don’t have an 8×8 inch baking pan?
A: No problem! You can easily use a 9×9 inch baking pan instead. Keep in mind that the bars will be slightly thinner, so you might need to reduce the baking time by a couple of minutes. If you want to use a larger 9×13 inch pan, you’ll need to double the entire recipe to ensure a good thickness and adjust the baking time accordingly (likely a bit longer than the 8×8 but shorter than double the time, keep an eye on it!).
Q: How do you get those perfectly sharp cuts on the bars?
A: Achieving clean, sharp cuts is all about two things: temperature and tools. First, ensure your dessert is completely cold. Place the baked and cooled bars in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours (or even longer) before cutting. Second, use a very sharp knife. For the cleanest cuts, wipe the knife blade clean with a damp cloth after each cut to remove any sticky residue. Some bakers even warm their knife under hot water and dry it between cuts for extra precision.
Q: Can I turn these into individual cookies instead of bars?
A: Absolutely! The base recipe can certainly be adapted for cookies, but you’ll need to make a couple of adjustments. For cookies, you typically want a colder, firmer butter, often cubed, rather than melted. You would cream the cold butter with the sugars using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. This creaming process incorporates air, which helps create a chewier, more cookie-like texture. Then proceed with adding eggs, vanilla, and dry ingredients. Roll into balls and bake as you would standard cookies, adjusting bake time as needed.
Q: Can I use different types of Oreos, like Golden Oreos or mint Oreos?
A: Yes, feel free to experiment with different Oreo flavors! Golden Oreos would create a lovely “vanilla” version, while mint Oreos would add a refreshing twist. Just keep in mind that the flavor profile will change, but the texture should remain similar. Use the same quantity as regular Oreos.
Q: How do I know when the Peanut Butter Oreo Bars are fully baked?
A: The bars are done when the edges are lightly golden brown, and the center is set. If you gently jiggle the pan, the center should not appear liquid or uncooked. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs attached, but no wet batter. Be careful not to overbake, as this can make the bars dry.
Storing Your Homemade Peanut Butter Oreo Bars
Proper storage ensures your delicious Peanut Butter Oreo Bars stay fresh and delightful for as long as possible.
- Room Temperature Storage: Once completely cooled, these bars can be stored in an airtight container or a large ziplock bag at room temperature for up to 5 days. Ensure they are fully cooled before storing to prevent condensation.
- Refrigerator Storage: For an extended shelf life and a firmer, chewier texture, you can place the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. They are excellent when enjoyed chilled, especially on a warm day.
Freezing for Future Enjoyment
These bars freeze beautifully, making them perfect for meal prep or saving for a special occasion. You can freeze them in an airtight container or a freezer-safe ziplock bag for up to 6 months. To prevent freezer burn, you might want to wrap individual bars in plastic wrap before placing them in the container. Thaw them at room temperature or in the refrigerator before serving.
Once you give this incredibly easy and delicious Peanut Butter Oreo Bars recipe a try, please take a moment to leave a star review! You don’t even have to write anything, just a quick rating helps immensely. To get more inspiring ideas for cakes, cookies, and other fantastic desserts, make sure to follow my pictures on Instagram and Pinterest! I love sharing my baking adventures with you.
Looking for more delightful recipes? Here are some of my personal favorites:
- Best Gooey Butter Cake Without Cake Mix
- Easy 9 x13 Chocolate Cake With Buttermilk
- Strawberry Cheesecake Cake
How to Serve: Once the bars have completely cooled (and ideally chilled for easier cutting), use a sharp knife to cut them into 8 or 16 pieces, depending on your desired portion size. These Peanut Butter Oreo Bars are best served either slightly warm from the oven or at room temperature. A glass of cold milk is their perfect companion!
Don’t forget to LEAVE A STAR AND A COMMENT REVIEW if you absolutely adore this recipe or have any questions. I love hearing from you! Follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. I post so many fun baking things on all platforms and would love to connect with you there!
Recipe Card
Peanut Butter Oreo Bars
Molly Murphy
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
For the peanut butter bars
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup slightly crushed Oreos about 4 cookies, plus more for garnish if desired
Instructions
For the bars
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Preheat the oven to 350 F (175 C). Line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides, and spray the parchment paper with cooking spray. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter and granulated sugar until well combined and smooth. Whisk in the creamy peanut butter vigorously for about 30-45 seconds, ensuring it’s fully incorporated.
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Add the large egg, egg yolk, and pure vanilla extract to the mixture. Whisk them together until everything is well combined and the mixture is uniform.
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Switch to a rubber spatula. Fold in the all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and the crushed Oreos all at once. Mix gently until just combined and no dry streaks of flour are visible. Be careful not to overmix.
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Evenly press the dough into the prepared 8×8 inch pan. Ensure the surface is as level as possible for even baking.
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Optional: For an enhanced look and flavor, you can swirl in dollops of melted peanut butter over the top of the dough. Then, place whole and/or additional slightly crushed Oreos on top as a garnish before baking.
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Bake for 22-25 minutes. The bars are done when the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. (My oven tends to run a little cool, so mine typically take about 24 minutes.)