Before we get too deep into fall, did you have a good summer? Did you treat yourself to any souvenirs to remind you of your travels and adventures? We collected some seashells at the beach, received a handmade lamp from my grandmother-in-law to remind us of her and the afternoon she spent teaching us how she makes stained glass, and, oh yes, received a copy of my father-in-law’s chocolate peanut butter bars recipe. This souvenir I am happy to share with you, especially since my father-in-law perfected making the bars dairy free.
Dairy-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars with Allergy-Friendly Options
We used Enjoy Life chocolate chips, peanut butter, Earth Balance buttery sticks, and regular graham crackers, which are typically dairy-free (see notes below for other special diet options). Actually we used cinnamon graham crackers because that’s what was in the house. Usually my father-in-law uses plain graham crackers in his chocolate peanut butter bars, but I liked the hint of cinnamon.
My in-laws first tasted these chocolate peanut butter bars at an office Christmas party, we enjoyed them as a vacation dessert in June, and I’m certain they’re perfect for any occasion in any season. We originally shared this treat with you almost ten years ago, but I thought it was time to reprise this recipe!
Special Diet Notes: Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, optionally gluten-free, optionally peanut-free, optionally tree nut-free, soy-free, optionally vegan, and vegetarian.
For nut-free and peanut-free chocolate “peanut butter bars”, I’ve noted SunButter as an option. It works great! But other peanut butter alternatives like WowButter probably work well too.
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (organic, gluten-free, or vegan)
- 2 cups powdered confectioners' sugar
- 1 cup + ¼ cup creamy peanut butter (can sub almond butter or SunButter), divided
- 1 cup dairy-free buttery spread or sticks, melted (I use Earth Balance)
- ¼ teaspoon salt, omit if using salted peanut or nut butter
- 1½ cups dairy-free chocolate chips (such as Enjoy Life)
- In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, confectioners' sugar, 1 cup peanut butter, melted butter alternative, and salt (if using) until well blended.
- Press evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13-inch pan.
- Melt the chocolate chips and the remaining ¼ cup of peanut butter in a pan over low heat until melted.
- Spread the chocolate mixture over the crust and refrigerate the bars for at least one hour.
- Keep the bars cold until ready to slice and serve.
- My father-in-law recommends storing the uneaten bars in the refrigerator - though there are no guarantees that any will be left!
More Dairy-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Recipes
Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake
Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Granola Bars
Easy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
9 Comments
I followed the recipe exactly and put them in the refrigerator. When I took them out and tried to slice them into squares the chocolate top part came off and the cookie crumbled. Should I let them come to room temperature so that thw hmtop will be a bit softer and stick better to the cookie part?
Yes, I would let them warm a little. It sounds like you are using a thicker peanut butter and/or a firmer dairy-free butter alternative (when chilled) than average. Either can cause them to set up a little too firmly.
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These look delicious! Love a simple recipe. Pinned for later!
the classic flavor combination EVERYONE loves! these sound great right now, I may have to make a late night batch!
Warning: they’re dangerous 🙂
I am very interested in your recipes
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