Last updated on May 11th, 2025

Ingredients
Make your own ingredients
Equipment

These Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars are a homemade, all-natural no-bake treat made with a layer of creamy, peanut butter and topped with chocolate. This recipe seems to go by other names like “peanut butter buckeye bars”, “lunch-lady peanut butter bars,” or “no-bake peanut butter bars.”

My vintage inspiration to make this recipe is straight out of my grandmother’s wooden box of hand-typed recipes. She would often make these for family reunions for an easy summer treat that doesn’t need to be baked.

Ingredients

BOTTOM LAYER

graham crackers: Graham crackers are a wholesome crunchy baked biscuit made from course whole wheat, called graham flour.
butter: American butter is made from churned cream that contains 80% butterfat. European butter is churned longer and has a higher fat content (82%-85%), which is why it yields more flavor.
confectioners’ sugar: Confectioners’ sugar, also known as powdered sugar, is made from finely ground granulated sugar mixed with a small amount of cornstarch to prevent clumping. Its fine texture, makes it perfect for smooth frostings and glazes on baked goods.
peanut butter: Conventional peanut butter is made from peanuts, oil, sugar and salt turned into a creamy or chunky texture. Look for one that has “fully hydrogenated oil”, minimal trans fats, and no high fructose corn syrup. Some varieties labeled “natural”, may be “Peanut Butter Spread” containing palm oil. Authentic “all-natural” peanut butter is made from ground peanuts and salt.
vanilla extract: Vanilla provides hints of caramel and spice, which enhances the depth of flavor in baked goods. Homemade vanilla is best, or use a high-quality, all-natural brand that contains at least 35% alcohol.

TOP LAYER

chocolate chips: Chocolate chips are made with cocoa solids, cocoa butter, sugar, and sometimes milk solids depending on the type. They vary in sweetness based on their cocoa content from dark chocolate (50-90% cocoa solids), semi-sweet chocolate (40-60% cocoa solids) and milk chocolate (10-40% cocoa solids).

How to melt chocolate chips

The easiest way to melt chocolate chips is in the microwave by placing half of the chocolate into a glass bowl and microwave for 30-seconds. Then add an additional half of the chocolate and continue to melt in 30-second increments until it is all melted and smooth.

Make your own ingredients

Graham Cracker Crumbs: There are pre-made on grocery store shelves, but its easy to make your own so they taste fresh. Start with a brand of graham crackers that doesn’t contain artificial flavor or high fructose corn syrup. Break up a few crackers and place in a food processor and grind into a fine powder.

Vanilla Extract: Purchase Grade B vanilla beans (also called extract-grade), which have less moisture and a more concentrated flavor. Place 8 oz. of bourbon (or vodka) in glass bottle or jar. Split 5-7 vanilla beans down the middle and add to bottle. Let it sit for 3-6 months in a cool, dark place. As you use it, continue to replace the bourbon and add more beans as it keeps for many years.

Peanut Butter: To make fresh ground peanut butter, purchase roasted, no salt or lightly-salted peanuts and grind in a food processor for 2-3 minutes until desired consistency is reached.

Equipment

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