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These no bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy Bars are made with layers of crispy Ritz crackers, a gooey filling of butter, graham crackers, and sugar, and a chocolate peanut butter topping. It’s hard to resist one of these homemade candy bars!
Homemade candy bars. Sounds dangerous, right?
I mean, I love a good candy bar and the only thing that keeps me from eating them is that I just convince myself to avert my eyes when we’re in the checkout lane at the grocery store.
But here I am, showing you how to make these magical peanut butter candy bars at home. In your own kitchen. Any time you wish.
Danger, my friends. 😉
The thing is, homemade almost always equals healthier and homemade almost always equals better and homemade definitely always equals…well…me eating more than my fair share of whatever homemade treat it is. Just being honest here. Haha!
The layers of dangerous goodness going on in these peanut butter candy bars is just unreal. Let’s do this!
Ingredient Notes:
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Graham Cracker Layer – You’ll heat together some graham cracker crumbs, butter, milk, white sugar, and packed brown sugar to prepare the gooey, buttery graham cracker layers.
Ritz Crackers – These classic crackers will make up three of the layers in these chocolate peanut butter candy bars. You’ll need two sleeves of Ritz Crackers, or about 75 crackers.
Chocolate Chips – I’m using semi-sweet chocolate chips for the chocolate peanut butter layer but you could use milk chocolate chips or even dark chocolate chips if you prefer.
Peanut Butter – You can use your favorite brand of peanut butter here but I’d probably stick to using a creamy peanut butter.
What We Love About This CHOCOLATE & PEANUT BUTTER Recipe:
These homemade candy bars are quick and easy to prepare! It only takes about 10 minutes to make the filling and assemble the layers in this dessert, though it will need to chill in the fridge a bit to set.
How To Make Peanut Butter Candy Bars:
Gooey Layer: This recipe is super simple and you’ll start by adding some graham cracker crumbs, white and brown sugar, butter, and milk to a sauce pan. Bring that mix to a boil and cook for about 5 minutes. This is going to make the Gooey Layer of Goodness. <— Official name.
Ritz Crackers: Next, you’ll grease a 9×13 pan and add a single layer of Ritz crackers along the bottom. Top those crackers with half of the Gooey Layer of Goodness.
Repeat: Now just repeat the layers, ending with more Ritz crackers on top.
Chocolate Peanut Butter: Add some chocolate chips and peanut butter to a bowl and zap it in the microwave until smooth and creamy.
Pour that goodness right over the top.
Chill: You’ll want to let these set up in the fridge for about an hour before you slice and serve. I cut them into squares, but if you really want that candy bar vibe, you can slice into long skinny bars.
THAT’S IT, FRIENDS!
You have homemade candy bars!
FAQ’s:
You can store these peanut butter bars at room temperature in an airtight container for about a week. They’ll last longer in the fridge, and even longer in the freezer!
Sure! There are a few ways you could change this recipe up or modify it. Instead of Ritz Crackers try it with a different type of cracker, such as club crackers or saltines. You can use dark chocolate or milk chocolate instead of semisweet chocolate chips, or use a different variety of nut butter.
MORE HOMEMADE DESSERT RECIPES!
- Cheesecake Bites
- Apple Cobbler
- Blackberry Cobbler
- Easy Homemade Brownies
- White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
- Air Fryer Lava Cakes
Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy Bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup white sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 3/4 cup butter cubed
- 1/3 cup milk
- 2 sleeves Ritz crackers about 75 crackers
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/4 cups peanut butter
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, combine the cracker crumbs, sugars, butter, and milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook and stir for about 5 minutes more.
- Grease a 9×13 pan and place a single layer of Ritz crackers along the bottom. Top with half of the graham cracker crumb mixture. Repeat layers once and then top with the remaining Ritz crackers.
- In a microwave safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and peanut butter. Microwave on low, stopping to stir occasionally. Do not over cook or the chocolate will burn. Pour over the crackers and refrigerate until firm. Cut into bars and enjoy!
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Information:
This post was originally published in March of 2010. It’s been updated with new text and photos in February of 2020. Original photo below.
Addy says
I’m making these today to bring to a Super Bowl Party! I know everyone will love them! Can’t WAIT!
Zoe V says
These are CRAZY delicious. I cut out one small corner piece after they had just set before I sat down to dinner and my boyfriend and I couldn’t believe how amazing they taste. THANKS!
Beth Adams says
This is a yummy looking snack. I made something similar last Yule but they were individual treats dipped in chocolate. This looks much less time consuming & just as tasty. Thank!
Missy @ Sweet with a Few Nuts says
These were amazing…thanks so much for sharing! I could have eaten all of that gooey filling by itself. I topped mine with some mini M&Ms, and they turned out really colorful!
http://www.sweetwithafewnuts.com/chocolate-peanut-butter-candy-bars-oh-my/
Duchess of Fork says
These look amazing. I’ve bookmarked a billion of your recipes. Looking forward to school starting so I can take all of these delicious treats to my fellow teachers! Too tempting to keep around the house ๐
Lisa McRoberts says
I have had this recipe on save for quite a while. I just made them last night for my bunko group. OMG, they were awesome! Everyone loved them. Thanks so much for sharing this!
MamaBug says
I finally made it back to let you know how freakin’ AWESOME these are. Made into my top 5. And the other oatmeal peanutbutter dessert you posted? The one that you have to wait about 5 hours for it to set? THAT is the reason I have no self-control. My number one favorite dessert dear Karly. My fat butt is proof.
Megan says
These look delicious-a perfect combination of sweet and salty! I just added this to my recipe collection and can’t wait to give it a try!
Reeni says
I’m crying because I want one! They look crazy delicious! I love the ritz crackers for the saltiness they add. I’m a sucker for salty peanut butter and chocolate together.
The Waspy Redhead says
OMG these look amazing!
Jenny S says
and I think I used whole wheat ritz by mistake, so they’re even good for you!! ha ha
Jenny S says
Made these yesterday, and oh man, I could eat the whole pan!! The way the butter/sugars/crumbs/milk turns into that caramel-y goodness is amazing-thanks for sharing another winner Karly! ๐
Barbara says
I could see a Ritz cracker peeking out in one of your drool-worthy photos! Very unusual and I love the gooey, sticky sweet look!
(Your son is adorable!)
Ashley says
Okay I must make these but definitely only when I have somewhere to bring them. They look so addictive! I love the crackers in there.
Karly says
Carrie,
Digestive biscuits are pretty similar to graham crackers. I’ve also used shortbread cookies in place of them with good results. Or, if you’re really ambitious, you could make your own graham crackers. Here’s a good recipe: http://www.purplefoodie.com/2009/07/graham-crackers.html
Enjoy!
Karly