Peanut Butter Blossom Bars Recipe
Peanut Butter Blossom Bars take everything we love about the classic Peanut Butter Blossoms—crunchy, chewy, and rich with flavor—and transform them into a delightful bar form. These bars combine the signature taste of peanut butter with the irresistible sweetness of chocolate, making them the perfect dessert for any occasion. With the same familiar peanut butter dough and Hershey’s Kisses nestled on top, this recipe gives you all the joy of the original cookie but in a simpler, more shareable version.
What makes these Peanut Butter Blossom Bars extra special is how easy they are to prepare. Unlike the traditional cookie version, there’s no need to roll individual dough balls and place a chocolate kiss on each one. Instead, you mix the dough, spread it in a pan, and bake it all at once. After the bars cool slightly, you simply press the chocolate kisses into the top, allowing them to gently melt into the warm bars. The result is a dessert that’s just as delicious, but much quicker to make—perfect for busy bakers or those looking for a crowd-pleasing treat with less effort.
Cooking Time, Preparation Time, and Servings
– Preparation time: 15 minutes
– Cooking time: 25-30 minutes
– Servings: 24 bars
Why You Will Love This Recipe
1. Quick and Easy: These bars save you time by cutting out the step of individually shaping dough balls—just mix, spread, and bake!
2. Crowd-Pleaser: The classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate is always a hit, whether you’re serving them at a holiday party or as an after-school snack.
3. Fudgy and Chewy Texture: These bars offer a perfect balance of chewy peanut butter dough with a fudgy, slightly crisp edge.
4. Less Mess: No need to handle individual cookies, which means fewer dishes and less mess in the kitchen.
5. Customizable: You can easily adjust the size of the chocolate topping or even swap the Hershey’s Kisses for other chocolates, making these bars perfect for any chocolate lover.
Ingredient Notes
– Peanut Butter: Use creamy peanut butter for a smooth texture that spreads evenly throughout the dough. If you prefer crunchy, it works too but might result in a slightly more textured bar.
– Sugar: This recipe uses both granulated sugar and brown sugar, which together give the bars a sweet yet slightly caramelized flavor.
– Chocolate Kisses: Hershey’s Kisses are the traditional choice, but you can use any type of chocolate—milk, dark, or even a flavored variety (such as caramel or peanut butter).
– Flour: For a thicker, sturdier bar, you may slightly increase the flour by a couple of tablespoons.
– Egg: The egg helps bind the dough and gives it structure, so make sure to use a large egg as called for in the recipe.
How to Make Peanut Butter Blossom Bars
1. Preheat and Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
2. Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the peanut butter, butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until combined. Gradually stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt until the dough comes together.
3. Spread and Bake: Transfer the dough into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the bars are golden around the edges and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
4. Add Chocolate Kisses: After the bars come out of the oven, let them cool for 5-10 minutes. Then, gently press the Hershey’s Kisses into the center of each bar. Allow the chocolate to soften but not melt completely.
5. Cool and Cut: Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. Serve and enjoy!
Storage Options
– Refrigerating: Store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
– Freezing: You can also freeze these bars for up to 3 months. To freeze, layer the bars between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight container, then thaw at room temperature before serving.
Variations and Substitutions
– Nut-Free Version: If you need a nut-free option, you can replace the peanut butter with sunbutter or another nut-free butter.
– Chocolate Variations: Swap the Hershey’s Kisses for other chocolates like caramel-filled Kisses, peanut butter cups, or even chopped chocolate bars.
– Add-ins: You could fold in some mini chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, or toffee bits into the dough for extra texture and flavor.
Conclusion
Peanut Butter Blossom Bars are an irresistible, easy-to-make treat that brings together the perfect combination of peanut butter and chocolate. These bars offer all the flavors of the classic Peanut Butter Blossoms but with the added convenience of being a bar dessert, perfect for sharing with friends and family. Whether you’re making them for a holiday, a party, or just a sweet snack, these bars are sure to delight with their chewy texture, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate, and simple preparation. Enjoy a twist on an old favorite that’s bound to become a new classic in your recipe collection!