Buddy Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Buddy Bars

Teresa Ambra

You will certainly have some new buddies if you share this fabulous recipe! Buddy Bars are made with two of the best buddies around: peanut butter and chocolate. It doesn’t hurt that chocolate chips are melted and smoothed over top for an icing layer.

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Yes, chocolate and peanut butter combine to make great treats called Buddy Bars. They are so quick and easy to make up and very similar to my Peanut Butter Swirl Bars recipe — just a little different. They have a rich, dense peanutty texture, yet each bite explodes with softened chocolate chips. The recipe calls for creamy peanut butter, but if you prefer a crunchier taste (like me) feel free to use crunchy peanut butter instead.

These bars are great for kid’s snacks, to pass around at soccer practice or games, and for a quick treat that needs to be made in a hurry. We hosted a New Year’s Eve party a couple of years ago and one of the gal’s that came brought this delicious treat. They were a big hit with everyone. Thankfully, Lorene shared a copy of her recipe with me and now I share it with you!

If you like the combination of peanut butter and chocolate (and most people do!) plus you want a recipe that can be prepared quickly you may want to try out this Buddy Bars recipe. It’s easy and economical–and seriously, what’s not to love about chocolate and peanut butter? Yum, yum!

When I first published this recipe in March 2013, I was still using an iPhone for a camera so the pictures were dull, lifeless and not as clear as I would have liked. I’ve been going through all my first year recipes in order to retake pictures so you can better appreciate many of the fabulous recipes I posted during that first year (when no one was following me!)

I recently remade this recipe (September 2015) for a baby shower. Even though my serving sizes were cut in half, this dessert was gobbled up almost immediately! Give them a try and you’ll be gobbling them down, too!

Buddy Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these amazing #brownies combine #chocolate and #peanutbutter making the best "buddy" combination ever! #dessert #cookie

Buddy Bars are incredible. You’ll love the luscious peanut butter taste loaded with chocolate.

Buddy Bars - IMG_9752

This scrumptious treat is sure to delight everyone!

Buddy Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these amazing #brownies combine #chocolate and #peanutbutter making the best "buddy" combination ever! #dessert #cookie

Buddy Bars are quite rich with chocolate chips in the body of the bar and then chocolate icing smoothed over the top. They’re great snacks for your kids. You can have a batch of Buddy Bars made up in no time.

Here’s what I did.

Buddy Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these amazing #brownies combine #chocolate and #peanutbutter making the best "buddy" combination ever! #dessert #cookie

I used these ingredients. You can use either smooth or crunch peanut butter. Both work fine.

Buddy Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these amazing #brownies combine #chocolate and #peanutbutter making the best "buddy" combination ever! #dessert #cookie

Soften butter. Add creamy peanut butter.

Buddy Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these amazing #brownies combine #chocolate and #peanutbutter making the best "buddy" combination ever! #dessert #cookie

Cream ingredients with an electric mixer until smooth.

Buddy Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these amazing #brownies combine #chocolate and #peanutbutter making the best "buddy" combination ever! #dessert #cookie

Add eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt.

Buddy Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these amazing #brownies combine #chocolate and #peanutbutter making the best "buddy" combination ever! #dessert #cookie

Mix ingredients with an electric mixer to combine. Add UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour. Bleached flour toughens cookies. Add half of the chocolate chips.

Buddy Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these amazing #brownies combine #chocolate and #peanutbutter making the best "buddy" combination ever! #dessert #cookie

Stir with a wooden spoon to combine. Over-stirring with a mixer toughens baked goods.

Buddy Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these amazing #brownies combine #chocolate and #peanutbutter making the best "buddy" combination ever! #dessert #cookie

Spray a 9×13″ glass baking dish with cooking spray. Spread cookie batter into pan. 

Buddy Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these amazing #brownies combine #chocolate and #peanutbutter making the best "buddy" combination ever! #dessert #cookie

Bake at 350 about 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Buddy Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these amazing #brownies combine #chocolate and #peanutbutter making the best "buddy" combination ever! #dessert #cookie

Immediately sprinkle remaining chocolate chips over top of the hot Buddy Bars. Allow chocolate to soften for about 2 or 3 minutes before spreading chocolate chips over top of the Buddy Bars.

Buddy Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these amazing #brownies combine #chocolate and #peanutbutter making the best "buddy" combination ever! #dessert #cookie

Here the chocolate has been completely spread over top of the Buddy Bars. There is JUST enough for this recipe to have a thin layer of icing on top. 

Buddy Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these amazing #brownies combine #chocolate and #peanutbutter making the best "buddy" combination ever! #dessert #cookie

Allow icing to cool thoroughly. Cut into bars. A 9×13″ pan yields 24 bars. Lots of peanut butter and chocolate in every bite – oh, my!

Buddy Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these amazing #brownies combine #chocolate and #peanutbutter making the best "buddy" combination ever! #dessert #cookie

Don’t these look amazing? Our family loves anything to do with peanut butter and chocolate! We think you’ll enjoy these delicious Buddy Bars, too! 

Here’s the recipe.

BUDDY BARS

(Recipe adapted from Lorene Ramer, when we attended Hillcrest Baptist Church, Cedar Hill, TX)

Buddy Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Buddy Bars

Teresa Ambra
Buddy Bars are a delicious peanut butter bar with chocolate chips in the cookie and chocolate chips melted and smoothed over top. This recipe is so delectable it's hard to stay out of them. Buddy Bars are sure to cure any sweet tooth craving as you'll be drooling from the first bite. Quick, easy, economical!
3.66 from 75 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Cookies, Brownies and Bars, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 258 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9x13" glass baking dish
  • 1 mixing bowl
  • 1 electric mixer
  • 1 rubber spatula to spread chocolate chips over top of hot brownies
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 spatula

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup smooth or crunchy peanut butter
  • 6 tbsp. unsalted butter softened
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 cup UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour bleached flour toughens cookies
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 2 cups milk chocolate chips divided use

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Beat peanut butter and butter until smooth, about 1 minute.
  • Add sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Beat until creamy.
  • Beat in flour and salt.
  • Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips.
  • Spread into 9x13” greased baking pan.
  • Bake about 30 to 40 minutes or until edges begin to brown.
  • Immediately sprinkle remaining chips over cookies.
  • Let stand 2-3 minutes.
  • Spread melted chips evenly over top of cookie.
  • Cut into squares when cool.

Notes

NOTE: You will just barely have enough icing to frost the top of the bars.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 258kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 4gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 76mgPotassium: 133mgFiber: 1gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 126IUCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg
Keyword brownie, chocolate, chocolate chip cookie, chocolate chips, chocolate dessert, cookie, dessert, peanut butter
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

[b]Buddy Bars[/b]
 
Recipe Type: Cookies, Brownies and Bars
Cuisine: American
Author: Teresa Ambra adapted from Lorene Ramer, when we attended Hillcrest Baptist Church, Cedar Hill, TX
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 24
Buddy Bars are a delicious peanut butter bar with chocolate chips in the cookie and chocolate chips melted and smoothed over top. Quick, easy, economical!
Ingredients
  • 1 cup smooth or crunchy peanut butter
  • 6 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¼ cups sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 cup UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour (bleached flour toughens cookies)
  • ¼ tsp. salt
  • 2 cups milk chocolate chips, divided
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°.
  2. Beat peanut butter and butter until smooth, about 1 minute.
  3. Add sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Beat until creamy.
  4. Beat in flour and salt.
  5. Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips.
  6. Spread into 9×13” greased baking pan.
  7. Bake about 30 to 40 minutes or until edges begin to brown.
  8. Immediately sprinkle remaining chips over cookies.
  9. Let stand 2-3 minutes.
  10. Spread melted chips evenly over top of cookie.
  11. Cut into squares when cool.
Buddy Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these amazing #brownies combine #chocolate and #peanutbutter making the best "buddy" combination ever! #dessert #cookie

Buddy Bars are rich, dense, and filling!

Buddy Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these amazing #brownies combine #chocolate and #peanutbutter making the best "buddy" combination ever! #dessert #cookie

The great thing about making this recipe is you probably already have all the ingredients on hand if you bake regularly.

Buddy Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these amazing #brownies combine #chocolate and #peanutbutter making the best "buddy" combination ever! #dessert #cookie

Buddy Bars are not only quick and easy to make — they’re economical too. Why don’t you try a bite?

You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!

Peanut Butter Swirl Bars

Peanut Butter Swirl Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | some of our favorite #brownies ever! #chocolatechips are swirled into a delicious #peanutbutter #brownie batter. Rich, decadent, heavenly! #dessert #chocolate

Peanut Butter Bars  

Peanut Butter Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Get your #chocolate fix & #PeanutButter fix with one delicious #recipe! This #dessert is sure to get your motor going as every bite is rich, decadent and heavenly. #cookie #ChocolateChips #PeanutButterDessert #brownie #tailgating #ChocolateDessert #FathersDayDessert #FourthOfJulyDessert

Peanut Butter Fudgy M&M Bars

Peanut Butter Fudgy M&M Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these amazing #brownies have only 6 ingredients! They are so quick & easy but also rich, decadent & heavenly. Terrific #dessert for summer #holidays, backyard BBQs, #tailgating parties or for #ChristmasCookieExchanges. #DarkChocolate #Fudge #MMs #cookie #PeanutButter #Peanuts #chocolate #HolidayDessert #PeanutButterFudgyMMBars #ChocolateDessert #MMDessert
Buddy Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Buddy Bars

Teresa Ambra
Buddy Bars are a delicious peanut butter bar with chocolate chips in the cookie and chocolate chips melted and smoothed over top. This recipe is so delectable it's hard to stay out of them. Buddy Bars are sure to cure any sweet tooth craving as you'll be drooling from the first bite. Quick, easy, economical!
3.66 from 75 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Cookies, Brownies and Bars, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 258 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9×13" glass baking dish
  • 1 mixing bowl
  • 1 electric mixer
  • 1 rubber spatula to spread chocolate chips over top of hot brownies
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 spatula

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup smooth or crunchy peanut butter
  • 6 tbsp. unsalted butter softened
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 cup UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour bleached flour toughens cookies
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 2 cups milk chocolate chips divided use

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Beat peanut butter and butter until smooth, about 1 minute.
  • Add sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Beat until creamy.
  • Beat in flour and salt.
  • Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips.
  • Spread into 9×13” greased baking pan.
  • Bake about 30 to 40 minutes or until edges begin to brown.
  • Immediately sprinkle remaining chips over cookies.
  • Let stand 2-3 minutes.
  • Spread melted chips evenly over top of cookie.
  • Cut into squares when cool.

Notes

NOTE: You will just barely have enough icing to frost the top of the bars.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 258kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 4gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 76mgPotassium: 133mgFiber: 1gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 126IUCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg
Keyword brownie, chocolate, chocolate chip cookie, chocolate chips, chocolate dessert, cookie, dessert, peanut butter
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

16 Comments

  • Erika

    April 22, 2023 at 3:37 pm

    5 stars
    Easy and delish! For the choc chips at the end, I turn off the oven, put choc chips on and return to warm oven for 1-2min. Then they are easy to spread!

    1. Teresa Ambra

      April 23, 2023 at 6:01 pm

      Thanks for the great tips Erika. I’ll have to try that next time!

  • Anonymous

    July 31, 2017 at 5:50 pm

    I likes the recipe but the chocolate chips spread on top do not melt. They need to be melted some other way and then spread on top.

    1. Teresa

      August 1, 2017 at 4:10 pm

      Hi, mine have always melted because I’ve spread them immediately out of the oven. But if you have difficulty you can microwave the chips first.

      1. Anonymous

        August 22, 2017 at 4:52 pm

        Mine didn’t melt either. So I zapped another cup of chips. Maybe next time I will turn off oven and pop the pan bake in the oven for a few mins to soften them.

        1. Teresa

          August 23, 2017 at 11:16 am

          That sounds like a great idea.

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  • laurasmess

    March 6, 2013 at 6:53 am

    Hi Teresa! Wow, these bars look absolutely amazing. I love anything with chocolate and peanut butter (I’m so envious of all the chocolate peanut butter products in America! Australia just hasn’t caught on!) so I’m definitely tempted to try this recipe 🙂 Love your blog, by the way. I’ve just stumbled across it and… this might sound silly… but each recipe you’ve posted just reminds me of warmth, family and everything that’s good in life! Thanks for this recipe. I can’t wait to look through some of your archives 🙂

    1. Teresa

      March 6, 2013 at 9:05 am

      Thank you so much for all the kind words. I’m really what’s called a “down-home” cook here in America. That means kind of an old family recipes country-style cook. Most of my recipes reflect that. However, I do throw in healthy recipes (definitely not passed down from my family!) and new recipes I try out all the time so there is some variety.

      If you really love peanut butter and chocolate you may also want to check out my peanut butter swirl bars recipe. Both of these recipes are SOOO easy, quick to assemble, tasty, and cheap (by American standards). Not sure if peanut butter is expensive in Australia or not.

      Thanks again for stopping by my site. I appreciate you dropping in.

      1. laurasmess

        March 6, 2013 at 5:10 pm

        Thanks Teresa, I like the sound of ‘down-home’ cooking… family recipes are definitely to be treasured!! I’ll definitely check out your peanut butter swirl bars. The idea sounds delicious! Peanut butter is kinda mid-range in price here in Australia. Everything over here is expensive, especially petrol/gas at AU$1.57 a litre (works out to be AU$5.80 per gallon) and meat (most steak is over AU$30 per kilo). That won’t deter me from making your recipe though! Can’t wait!

        1. Teresa

          March 6, 2013 at 9:28 pm

          Please let me know what you think! I think the swirl bar recipe only calls for a half cup of crunchy peanut butter which isn’t too much. The Buddy Bars called for creamy peanut butter and a little more.

  • Petite Gourmande Anglaise

    March 6, 2013 at 3:37 am

    Oh my, they are perfection!

    1. Teresa

      March 6, 2013 at 8:58 am

      Thank you so much! They really are a great bar – so simple and easy to make too!

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