Description
Chocolate and peanut butter lovers will adore these classic Buckeye Bars, a nostalgic Ohio dessert that blends creamy peanut butter with rich chocolate. Sweet layers meld perfectly, creating an irresistible no-bake treat you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Chocolate Components:
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan by greasing or lining with parchment paper for effortless removal.
- Combine softened butter and peanut butter in a large mixing bowl, blending until silky smooth and uniform in texture.
- Incorporate powdered sugar and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, stirring until a creamy, consistent base forms.
- Evenly distribute the peanut butter mixture into the prepared pan, pressing firmly to create a uniform layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes, watching for lightly golden edges as an indicator of doneness.
- Remove from oven and allow the base to cool completely at room temperature.
- Melt chocolate chips and additional peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl, using 30-second intervals and stirring between each session until completely smooth.
- Pour the glossy chocolate mixture over the cooled peanut butter base, using a spatula to create an optional marbled design.
- Refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour to ensure the chocolate sets and firms up completely.
- Once fully chilled, slice into approximately 16 uniform squares and serve chilled.
Notes
- Swap regular peanut butter with natural or almond butter for a healthier twist and different flavor profile.
- Enhance the chocolate layer by using dark chocolate chips for a more intense, less sweet finish.
- For gluten-free option, ensure all ingredients like powdered sugar are certified gluten-free before using.
- Create a vegan version by replacing butter with coconut oil and using dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 20
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 19.5 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 13.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 23.4 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 3.2 g
- Cholesterol: 8 mg