Nutter Butter Cookie Bars Recipe

I’ve got to tell you about this Nutter Butter Cookie Bars Recipe I recently whipped up—it’s a total game-changer if you love peanut butter and those classic Nutter Butter cookies. Imagine a rich, chewy blondie packed with peanut butter goodness and crunchy cookie bits. It’s a cozy, nostalgic treat that’s perfect for any day when you want a sweet fix that feels homemade but still a little fancy.

What makes this recipe so special is how effortlessly it comes together, yet delivers big on flavor. Whether you’re baking for a casual family dessert or need something to impress at a potluck, these bars hit the spot every single time. You’ll find that combining creamy peanut butter and those crunchy cookies inside the batter creates a texture that’s just irresistible.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients work beautifully together to give you that perfect balance of sweetness, creaminess, and a little crunch. Most of them are pantry staples, so you might already have what you need on hand!

• Cooking spray: Essential for making sure your bars lift out of the pan easily without sticking.
• Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a deep, caramel-like flavor to the bars.
• Unsalted butter: Bring it to melted form for easier mixing and a rich buttery taste.
• Chunky peanut butter: Using chunky here gives an extra punch of texture and peanut flavor.
• Pure vanilla extract: A little vanilla goes a long way in enhancing the dessert’s flavor.
• Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness perfectly and highlights the peanut butter taste.
• Large eggs: Room temperature eggs help your batter blend smoothly for the best texture.
• Baking powder: This little lift makes the bars light without going cakey.
• All-purpose flour: The base that holds it all together while keeping the bars tender.
• Nutter Butter cookies: Crushed inside for texture and some whole cookies for topping — this is the star ingredient!
• Peanut butter chips: Sprinkle them in for extra pockets of melty peanut butter goodness.

Variations

I love how versatile this Nutter Butter Cookie Bars Recipe is, so feel free to tweak it to your liking. Whether you want to amp up the chocolate or keep it nut-free, there are easy swaps to fit your mood or diet.

• Chocolate Lovers: I sometimes add semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of peanut butter chips for a chocolate-peanut butter combo that’s to die for.
• Nut-Free Version: You can swap out peanut butter with sunflower seed butter and skip the Nutter Butter cookies for allergy-friendly bars.
• Extra Crunch: Try folding in chopped roasted peanuts or even pretzel bits if you want a salty crunch.
• Healthier Twist: For a slightly lighter version, substitute half the white flour with whole wheat flour – it adds a nice, nutty depth.

How to Make Nutter Butter Cookie Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then grab a 13″ x 9″ metal baking pan and spray it with cooking spray. For an easy cleanup and to lift your bars out without any hassle, line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two opposite long sides. Don’t forget to spray the parchment as well—this little step saves a ton of sticky problems later.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, use a handheld mixer at medium-high speed to beat together the brown sugar, melted butter, chunky peanut butter, vanilla extract, and kosher salt until everything is well combined. Once smooth and shiny, add in the eggs one at a time, beating on low speed after each addition so the mixture doesn’t curdle. Finish this step by mixing in the baking powder until it’s fully blended in.

Step 3: Fold In Dry Ingredients and Cookies

Now, use a flexible rubber spatula to gently fold the all-purpose flour into your batter—it’s okay if you see a few streaks of flour, don’t over mix! Then fold in the coarsely chopped Nutter Butter cookies and two-thirds of the peanut butter chips. This is where the magic happens—the cookie bits add that unique crunch and flavor that makes these bars stand out.

Step 4: Transfer Batter and Top

Scoop the batter into your prepared pan and smooth it out evenly using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Carefully twist apart the remaining whole Nutter Butter cookies and press the separated halves, peanut-butter-ridged side up, gently into the top of the batter. Finally, sprinkle on the rest of the peanut butter chips for a gorgeous finish and extra melty bites.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 23 to 27 minutes, or until they turn a light golden brown and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. The edges will be slightly crisp while the center remains chewy—that’s exactly what you want! Let the bars cool completely in the pan; then, using the parchment overhang, lift them out and transfer to a cutting board to slice into squares.

How to Serve Nutter Butter Cookie Bars Recipe

Garnishes

Personally, I love a light dusting of powdered sugar or even a drizzle of melted dark chocolate on top. It adds a nice contrast and makes these bars look extra-special for sharing. If you want to get fancy, sprinkle some chopped roasted peanuts or mini peanut butter chips for added texture.

Side Dishes

These bars pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, especially if you warm them slightly before serving. For a grown-up twist, I sometimes serve them alongside my favorite coffee drink or even a peanut butter-flavored latte—perfect for an afternoon treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve arranged them on a festive platter with extra whole Nutter Butter cookies and peanut butter cups around the edges. Layering bars in a glass trifle dish with whipped cream and chopped peanuts creates a stunning peanut butter dessert parfait that always wows guests!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay perfectly fresh for up to 3 days. The peanut butter chips and cookies maintain their texture nicely without getting soggy, so you get that fresh baked feel with every bite.

Freezing

Freezing works wonderfully for this recipe. I wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then tuck them into a freezer bag. When you’re ready for a treat, just thaw them overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a couple hours—it’s a perfect make-ahead dessert!

Reheating

If you want to enjoy them warm, pop a defrosted bar in the microwave for about 15 seconds or heat it gently in a low oven. The peanut butter chips soften and melt slightly, giving you that freshly baked, gooey experience all over again.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Nutter Butter Cookie Bars Recipe has become my go-to when I want something that’s quick, taps into that comfort food vibe, and gets everyone excited. I love sharing it with people because it’s simple yet feels like a special indulgence. Seriously, if you want to bring that fun peanut butter cookie crunch into a bar you can slice and share, give this recipe a try—you won’t be disappointed!

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