Nutter Butter Cookie Bars Recipe

If you’re a peanut butter lover like me, you’ll absolutely go crazy for this Nutter Butter Cookie Bars Recipe. Imagine your favorite Nutter Butter cookies baked right into a soft, chewy bar that’s packed with peanut butter chips and that irresistible nutty flavor. I made these for a casual weekend get-together, and let me tell you, they disappeared fast — perfect for when you want a sweet treat that satisfies serious cravings without any fuss.

What makes this Nutter Butter Cookie Bars Recipe so special is how it blends buttery brown sugar goodness with the crunchy surprise of chopped cookies inside, along with whole cookie halves nestled right on top for that fun, textured touch. Whether it’s for a potluck, a kid’s lunchbox, or just a cozy night in, these bars have become my go-to peanut butter fix that always impresses.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient plays a special role in making these Nutter Butter Cookie Bars Recipe come out perfectly balanced between rich, sweet, and peanutty. Choosing good-quality peanut butter and real Nutter Butter cookies truly elevates the flavor.

• Cooking spray: Prepping your pan properly prevents sticking and helps the bars come out cleanly.
• Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and that deep caramel note that pairs beautifully with peanut butter.
• Unsalted butter: You’ll want it melted for easy mixing and buttery richness without extra salt.
• Chunky peanut butter: I use natural chunky for texture and authentic flavor, but creamy works too.
• Pure vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering the peanut butter.
• Kosher salt: Just a pinch balances the sweetness and brings out the nutty tones.
• Large eggs: Room temperature eggs help the batter emulsify smoothly.
• Baking powder: Provides just a little lift so the bars aren’t too dense.
• All-purpose flour: The base that gives these bars their structure without heaviness.
• Nutter Butter cookies: Coarsely chopped for inside the bars and whole cookies for the top – trust me, don’t skip that step!
• Peanut butter chips: Divided so some go into the batter and some sprinkle on top for melty pockets of peanut buttery goodness.

Variations

I love making the Nutter Butter Cookie Bars Recipe my own, and you can too! Once you get the hang of the classic, try swapping out chips or adding extras to surprise your family and friends.

• Chocolate Lovers’ Delight: I once swapped half the peanut butter chips for semi-sweet chocolate chips and got rave reviews from my chocoholic nephew.
• Crunchier Texture: Toss in chopped roasted peanuts for an extra nutty crunch some afternoons when I want a little more bite.
• Gluten-Free Swap: Using a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend works beautifully — just make sure your baking powder is gluten-free too.
• Reduced Sugar: I sometimes cut back on brown sugar by about 1/4 cup when I want a slightly less sweet version that still tastes amazing.

How to Make Nutter Butter Cookie Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan Like a Pro

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). I always grease a 13″ x 9″ metal baking pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides. Don’t forget to spray the parchment itself — this step makes lifting the bars out a breeze and ensures nothing sticks, so your cuts are clean and perfect.

Step 2: Whip Together the Peanut Butter Batter

In a large bowl, use a handheld mixer on medium-high speed to beat together brown sugar, melted butter, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and salt. This combination gets creamy and fragrant, setting the stage for those rich bars. Then, add your eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed after each to keep the batter smooth — speed matters here to avoid adding extra air.

Step 3: Fold in Dry Ingredients and Those Beloved Cookies

Now, toss in your baking powder, beating a bit until everything melds. Turn off the mixer and gently fold the all-purpose flour into the batter with a flexible spatula until only a few streaks remain. This keeps the bars tender, so don’t overmix! Next, fold in the chopped Nutter Butter cookies and two-thirds of your peanut butter chips — this surprise nugget of cookie inside is what takes these bars over the top.

Step 4: Spread, Top, and Sprinkle

Scoop the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Now here’s the fun part: twist apart your remaining whole Nutter Butter cookies and press the halves peanut side up into the top of the batter. Finally, sprinkle the rest of your peanut butter chips on top — this gives a beautiful golden finish with bursts of melty peanut butter flavor.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden Perfection

Bake your bars for 23 to 27 minutes, until lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. I’ve learned that ovens vary, so start checking at 23 minutes. Remember, the bars will firm up as they cool, so it’s okay if they seem slightly soft when you take them out.

Step 6: Cool, Lift, and Slice

Let the bars cool completely in the pan. Thanks to the parchment overhang, lifting them out is easy — transfer to a cutting board and slice into roughly 15 squares. I love how clean the cuts come out, and the whole cookies on top make each bite fun and unique.

How to Serve Nutter Butter Cookie Bars Recipe

Garnishes

I like a simple dusting of powdered sugar to add a little sweetness and make the bars look extra inviting, but sometimes I drizzle a bit of melted chocolate over the top when I’m feeling fancy. Chopped peanuts sprinkled on top add crunch and a little visual pop, perfect for serving at parties.

Side Dishes

These bars pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk (classic, right?). For coffee lovers, I serve them alongside a rich cappuccino or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream to turn them into a dessert experience.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or casual gatherings, I like to cut the bars into bite-sized squares and stack them pyramid-style on a pretty platter. Wrapping individual bars in parchment and tying with twine makes for cute, portable treats when you’re taking them to a party or potluck.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days — they stay delightfully soft. If your kitchen is warm, I pop them in the fridge, though they may firm up slightly and benefit from a quick zap in the microwave before eating.

Freezing

These bars freeze like a charm! I wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. When thawed overnight in the fridge, they practically taste fresh-baked, which is perfect for making ahead for parties or gifts.

Reheating

To revive that fresh-baked feel, I warm bars in the microwave for about 15 seconds or pop them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. This melts the peanut butter chips just right and brings back that soft, chewy texture everyone loves.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Nutter Butter Cookie Bars Recipe turns out every time—I think it’s that perfect peanut butter sweetness with cookie crunch that gets everyone smiling. If you make these bars, you’ll enjoy how easy they are to whip up and how quickly they disappear. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become your trusty go-to for a quick, nostalgic, and totally scrumptious treat to share or savor solo.

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