This one-bowl peanut butter blondie recipe makes drool-worthy, soft, and chewy bars stuffed with peanut butter cups no less – perfect for peanut butter bar lovers!
It’s a delicious balance of salty and sweet with a peanut butter blondie base, peanut butter cups at the surface, and melty chocolate chips throughout!
Try my popular Copycat Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookies, this scrumptious blondie recipe and these famous Scottish Shortbread cookies.

Why You Will Love these Peanut Butter Blondies
- Quick and Easy Dessert – Prep the easy recipe for 10 minutes, bake for about 20 minutes, then cool for 15 minutes.
- The Best Combination – Peanut butter and chocolate is a match made in heaven! This blondie recipe is like a giant peanut butter cup!
- Great for Parties – Whether you need a holiday treat or a quick dessert for family gatherings, this crowd-pleasing recipe is always a huge hit!
I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, use the Jump to Recipe to head straight there!
Simple Ingredients
- Flour | I prefer unbleached all-purpose flour for all my baked goods, but all-purpose flour also works.
- Butter | I used salted butter, if using unsalted butter and ¼ teaspoon salt to the recipe.
- Peanut butter | Your favorite brand of creamy peanut butter should do! I suggest using a no-stir peanut butter. Keep in mind natural peanut butter is usually too oily for this recipe.
- Egg | Bring your egg to room temperature for 30 minutes or so before baking, I use large eggs.
- Brown sugar | Bring a rich sweetness with brown sugar– I like to use light brown sugar, but dark is also delicious.
- Vanilla | Add creamy notes with vanilla extract.
- Chocolate chips | Enhance the peanut butter flavor with semi-sweet chocolate chips or chocolate chunks.
- Peanut butter cups | I like to use Reese’s mini peanut butter cups.
- Salt | Add kosher salt to bring out the salty-sweet flavors.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
How to Make Peanut Butter Blondie Recipe
Get started by preheating the oven to 350° F (175° C) and lining a 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Then, sift the flour into a small bowl and set it aside.
Fresh Tips
- This recipe is written for an 8-by-8-inch baking dish. Adjust accordingly if you’re using a different size. A pie dish with an 8-inch diameter will also work.
- If you don’t have parchment paper, line the pan with aluminum foil and add some cooking spray.
Add the room-temperature butter and egg to a large bowl and combine using a spoon, hand mixer or stand mixer.
Next, mix in the peanut butter, brown sugar, and vanilla.
Carefully add the flour to the wet ingredients and combine with a spoon. Try not to overmix!
Fold in the chocolate chips. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and use the back of the spoon to smooth the top.
Now, place the peanut butter cups on top of the batter evenly. Push the cups down so the top of each is even with the surface of the blondie batter, and sprinkle the top with chocolate chips.
Slip the square pan into the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the top is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs (try and avoid the chocolate).
Then, remove the blondies to a wire rack and allow the peanut butter bars cool in the pan at least 15 minutes before slicing. I recommend using a plastic knife to slice your blondies cleanly, Satisfy your chocolate and peanut butter craving with this delicious blondie recipe!
Fresh Tips
- Chocolate lovers could drizzle the bars with melted milk chocolate.
- This is an easy one bowl recipe, but you may use an electric mixer or hand mixer, if preferred.
High Altitude Adjustments for Peanut Butter Blondies
- Increase oven temperature to 375° F (190° C)
- Increase flour by two tablespoons
- Reduce the brown sugar to ¾ cup
- Begin checking at around 18-20 minutes.
Next time you crave salty and sweet peanut butter treats, try my Easy Buckeye Bars, Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies, or these indulgent Chocolate Fluffernutter Whoopie Pies – Yum!
Variations
Peanut Butter Bars Gluten Free
Replace the flour with ½ cup gluten-free all-purpose flour and ½ cup of almond flour or oat flour; make sure the rest of your ingredients are gluten-free and bake as directed. Note: All Reese’s are gluten-free, except for their seasonal shapes, such as Christmas trees or eggs.
Low-Carb Peanut Butter Bars
Swap out the peanut butter cups for a no-sugar alternative chopped into chunks. Replace the flour with almond flour and use sugar-free substitutes for the brown sugar and chocolate chips. Not guilty pleasure!
Malt Peanut Butter Blondies
Add a quarter cup of malted milk powder for a delicious, malty flavor. (Note: Malt is not usually gluten-free.)
Want to Save this Recipe?
Gooey-er Peanut Butter Blondies
Use slightly cooled melted butter for the recipe instead of room temperature butter. Similar to this chewy blondie recipe.
Substitutions
- Use the thin Reese’s cups instead of miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups.
- Switch the creamy peanut butter with crunchy peanut butter for extra texture.
- Try my Homemade Bourbon Vanilla Extract Recipe, or try another extract, like almond.
- Replace the semi-sweet with white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, or dark chocolate chips.
- You can substitute all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour or a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Butter can be replaced with margarine or a dairy-free butter substitute for a vegan version.
- If you’re looking for an egg-free option, consider using applesauce, flax egg, mashed banana, yogurt, or commercial egg replacers to maintain moisture and binding.
- Use Reese’s Pieces instead of the peanut butter cups, or add them to the recipe for extra Reese’s flavor!
Peanut Free Blondie Cookie Bars
Use other nut butter for this recipe, like sunflower seed butter (nut free) and purchase sun butter cups; or try almond butter or cashew butter if there is no tree nut allergy.
Storage Tips for Peanut Butter Cup Pie
Countertop – Covered or sealed in an airtight container, the brownies will keep on the counter at room temperature for up to four days.
Refrigerate – Store leftover blondies in the fridge in an airtight container or tightly sealed with plastic wrap for five to seven days.
How to Freeze Blondies – Once the recipe completely cools, wrap it in foil then place into an airtight freezer baggie; freeze up to three months. Then, thaw in the refrigerator overnight to enjoy the following day. Thaw on counter. Or wrap individual blondies in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container, then it becomes a lunch treat or grab-and-go snack.
Cookies for Kids Cancer
This recipe is part of The Sweetest Season, an annual virtual cookie swap co-hosted by Erin of The Speckled Palate and Susannah of Feast + West. Food bloggers gather to share new holiday cookie recipes to make and give every year.
This year we are raising money for Cookies 4 Kids’ Cancer, which is a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to funding research for new, innovative and less-toxic treatments for childhood cancer.
Since 2008, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer has granted nearly $18 million to pediatric cancer research in the form of 100+ research grants to leading pediatric cancer centers across the country. From these grants have stemmed 35+ treatments available to kids battling cancer today.
Help us raise money for this important cause! Donate through our fundraising page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Make this recipe ahead by prepping the batter the day before, then adding it to the pan the next day to bake fresh!
Brownies are known for their fudgy or cakey chocolate flavor, while blondies may have a similar texture but have a chewy chocolate chip cookies taste instead.
Sure! If you remove the pan and realize your recipe isn’t quite finished baking, return them to the oven for a few minutes. Or as your blondies cool, they will retain their shape a little better.
Yes. this recipe is written for an 8×8-inch pan, but you can double the recipe to fit a 9×13-inch pan if necessary.
What to serve with Peanut Butter Blondies
Best appetizers to serve with peanut butter bars
Balance the sweet with these amazing appetizers! Our popular Cranberry cream cheese dip, this easy Cowboy crack dip, this festive Cranberry Jalapeno dip and these creative Charcuterie cups.
Charcuterie Cups – How to Pack a Perfect Charcuterie Board to Go
These individual charcuterie cups are everything you love about charcuterie boards but loads more fun! I'll show you how to pack a charcuterie board to go. These tasty single–serve treats are easy to make, portable, and perfect for gatherings large and small.
Best Cowboy Crack Dip Recipe (Hot or Cold)
Mixed in minutes this Cowboy Crack Dip is cheesy, creamy, savory, and fresh — the perfect appetizer.
This crack dip recipe is a classic appetizer ideal for your next party; game day and holiday get-togethers, a clear party favorite!
Best Cranberry Jalapeno Dip Recipe (with Cream Cheese)
Prepped in minutes, this is the ultimate cranberry jalapeno dip, a sweet, spicy and tart blend of flavors! Whether poured over cream cheese or mixed in, it’s the perfect festive delight!
A spot-on copycat of Costco’s cranberry jalapeño dip!
Best Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip Recipe
This easy baked Cranberry Cream Cheese dip is perfect for the holiday season. 4 ingredients to this cheesy, sweet-tart, salty, and savory hot dip.
Use homemade or leftover cranberry sauce.
Best drinks for peanut butter chocolate bars
Try these peanut butter bars with something creamy and warm, like this White Hot Chocolate Starbucks Copycat recipe, my new copycat recipe for McDonald’s Eggnog Milkshake, or this Christmas morning Chai Latte (not just for Christmas morning).
Easy Classic Irish Coffee Recipe (4 ingredients)
This easy Irish coffee recipe is a classic Irish coffee cocktail that is ideal for chilly nights. It is a delightful blend of coffee, whiskey, sugar, and cream, perfect for warming you up on a cold night or adding a touch of sophistication to your after-dinner drink.
The Best Christmas Morning Chai Recipe (Dutch Bros)
This holiday season enjoy this copycat Dutch Bros Christmas Morning Chai recipe. A chai latte that is spicy and flavorful chai tea mixed with half and half and swirled with white chocolate syrup. Delicious hot or cold.
Starbucks White Hot Chocolate Recipe
A quick and easy recipe on how to make a Starbucks White Hot Chocolate recipe at home. Save time and money, by making this fast copycat white hot chocolate recipe in the comfort of your own home.
More Easy Dessert Bars
- Browned Butter Sugar Cookie Bars with Salted Caramel Frosting
- Lemon Cranberry Bars
- Easy Snickers Candy Bar Fudge Recipe
- Oatmeal Cranberry Bars
- Best Banana Bars Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting
Remember not to overmix the peanut butter mixture to get the best results, and do not overbake the blondies; they should be soft and chewy and maybe just a little gooey.
I hope you loved these Peanut Butter Blondie Brownies— if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!
Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour I use unbleached, add 2 tablespoons for high altitude
- ½ cup butter room temperature, if using unsalted add ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup peanut butter Use creamy or crunchy, tip: natural PB can be too oily, use a no-stir peanut butter
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 cup brown sugar packed (reduce to ¾ cup for high altitude)
- 1 tablespoon Vanilla extract
- ½ cup semi-sweet Chocolate Chips plus 1 tbs for sprinkling on top
- 16 miniature peanut butter cups
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F (175° C). Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with parchment paper (or aluminum foil with cooking spray). Set aside. Increase oven temperature to 375° F (190° C) for high-altitude baking.
- Sift flour (1 cup) and salt into a small bowl. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl mix the soft butter (½ cup) and egg (1) together. Stir in the peanut butter (½ cup), brown sugar (1 cup), vanilla extract(1 tablespoon), and mix. You can do this by hand, with a hand mixer or with a stand mixer.
- Add sifted flour and stir with a spoon until no more flour streaks show. Then Stir in chocolate chips (½ cup).
- Spoon batter into the prepared 8-by-8 pan, smoothing the top with the back of a spoon.
- Distribute the peanut butter cups (about 16 mini Reese’s peanut butter cups) evenly over the surface of the batter, pushing each cup down so the top is even with the surface of the batter.
- Sprinkle reserved chocolate chips (1 tablespoon) on the surface between the peanut butter cups.
- Bake for approx. 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean, avoiding the chocolate chips.
- Allow bars to cool on a cooling rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving. Or cool completely. Fresh Tip, use a plastic knife to slice the blondies cleanly. Serve with milk or ice cream. Enjoy!
Want to Save this Recipe?
Notes
This recipe doubles for a 9×13-inch pan; you may need to bake them for a few extra minutes.
Make a peanut butter cup pie! Spread into a 9-inch pie plate, press the peanut butter cups in and bake! Bake a little less time. TOP TIP: Don’t overbake these blondies! They should lose their gloss on the top and barely turn golden brown.Storage Tips
These peanut butter blondies are best when stored in an airtight container on the countertop for up to 5 days. Freeze for longer storage | Cool blondies completely, then wrap tight in plastic wrap (TIP: wrap individually for quick thaw and grab and go treats), then place in an airtight baggie. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter.Variations & Substitutions
Malted Peanut Butter Blondies | Add ¼ cup of malted milk powder for a malty flavor!Use the thin peanut butter cups instead of miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups. Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Bars | Replace the flour with ½ cup gluten-free all-purpose flour and ½ cup of almond flour or oat flour; make sure the rest of your ingredients are gluten-free and bake as directed. Low-Carb Peanut Butter Bars | Replace the peanut butter cups with a no-sugar peanut butter cup and chop into chunks. Use all almond flour and replace the sugar and chocolate chips with sugar-free substitutes. I like Lakanto brown sugar and Lily’s sugar-free chocolate chips.
Kristine
GAH! These are so good and so easy to make. I love this recipe, thank you!
Thank you!!
Naelle
Looks decadent! Peanut butter anything is always a huge hit in my house!
Thank you !
Kushigalu
I love peanut butter treats. This looks fantastic. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks!!
Justine
These were so incredibly yummy!
Thank you!!
Lauren Vavala Harris
My husband doesn’t like brownies, but he loves peanut butter cups so we gave these a try. They are a new family favorite – everyone loves these blondies!
Yay! Love to hear this!!
Susannah
We are so obsessed with anything peanut butter so these are calling my name! Thanks so much for participating in The Sweetest Season, Kathleen!
Thank you so much, Susannah!
Megan
My kids couldn’t keep away from these bars. A winner for sure!
The best and thank you!
Shashi at Savory Spin
These were so decadent! Only complaint is they are all gone – guess I need to make another batch eh?!
Lol! I get it! I’ve made quite a few this season!
Nikki
These are amazing! They will be made on repeat at our house!
Thank you so much!!
Sam
This combination is incredible! The texture is divine and I really can’t wait to make more!
It’s on repeat in our house!
Eliza
I made these for a potluck and they disappeared instantly! No one would have ever guessed how easy the recipe is! (Next time I’ll make a double batch.)
Making a double batch is a great idea!! Thank you!
Erin
These are just the PERFECT blondies! And the addition of those peanut butter cups puts them over the top for me. I’ll be baking these year-round, not just for the holiday season!
Right?! The best anytime treat!
Ellen
This is a great recipe but I especially love that clean up is easy since it’s make in one bowl.
YES! I love one bowl recipes!
jenn
You had me at peanut butter and chocolate!
The best combo right!
Grace
I’m a sucker for PB + chocolate, so these looks amazing!
Right, a combo made in heaven!
Sheila
My all-time favorite combo in one delicious cookie bar! You hit a homerun with this recipe!
Thank you so much!!
Liz
Yum! I love blondies and adding peanut butter… yes please!
Yes!!! They are so yummy!