One of our family favorites, classic chocolate peanut butter swirl bars feature a chewy, blondie-like base swirled with dark chocolate — a true crowd-pleaser.
I’ve been making these bars since I was a teenager, so I call them “classic.” They’re simple, dependable, and nearly everyone who tastes them asks for the recipe. Growing up in a peanut-butter-loving household, anything that paired peanut butter and chocolate became an instant favorite. My mom taught me this recipe early on because it’s easy, forgiving, and ideal for beginner bakers.
These bars were so well-known among my high school classmates that people even mentioned them in my yearbook — proof that great food makes a lasting impression.
The Story: “Sugar and lard?”
Early on, I tried to impress a fellow youth-group attendee by bringing these bars. When I asked what he thought, he paused mid-bite and described them as “kinda like a bunch of sugar and lard rolling around in my mouth.” It wasn’t the compliment I hoped for, but it was memorable. Turns out his dessert tastes are very specific — mostly chocolate chip everything — but I married him anyway. Thankfully our kids and most friends adore these bars.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Bars
These easy bar cookies require pantry staples: peanut butter, butter, brown and white sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, baking powder, salt, and a bag of chocolate chips. There’s no lard involved — just wholesome, familiar ingredients.
Start by creaming the peanut butter, butter, and sugars together until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until light and fluffy. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt until everything is well combined. The dough is easy to work with, which makes this a great recipe to involve kids in the kitchen.
Press the dough evenly into an ungreased 13×9-inch pan. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top — any chips will do, but extra-dark chips give a nice contrast and depth of flavor.
Bake the pan in a preheated 350°F oven for 5 minutes, then remove it and run a knife through the softened chocolate to create a marbled swirl across the surface. For the prettiest marbling, drag the knife lengthwise once, then move it back and forth across the pan. Return the pan to the oven and bake about 20 more minutes until the edges are golden.
Tip: Let the bars cool completely before cutting so the chocolate sets and the top stays intact. If you slice them while warm, the tops can be messy — still tasty, but less tidy.
Chewy, peanutty, and chocolatey, these swirl bars are irresistible. They keep well in the refrigerator for a few days and freeze nicely for longer storage, so they’re convenient for make-ahead baking and sharing at potlucks.
Classic Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Bars Recipe
10 mins
25 mins
35 mins
24 cookies
Jami Boys
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/3 cup softened butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups dark chocolate chips (about a 12-oz bag)
Instructions
- Beat the peanut butter, butter, and sugars together in a large bowl.
- Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until fluffy.
- Blend in the flour, baking powder, and salt until mixed well.
- Spread evenly in a 13×9-inch ungreased pan. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top.
- Bake at 350°F for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and run a knife through the chocolate to marbleize the top.
- Return to the oven and bake 20 more minutes until golden around the edges.
- Cool thoroughly so the top sets, then cut into 24 bars.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was updated; it was originally published in November 2009.
Other Easy Cookies You May Like:
Healthy No-Bake Fudge Oatmeal Bars
Grain Free Almond Chocolate Truffle Bars
Black Bottom Maple Pecan Pie Bars