Peanut Butter, Pretzel and Chocolate Squares

We have two friends that LOVE peanut butter and chocolate. I mean, it’s their JAM! Making variations of this recipe is so fun, too.

The Peanut Butter, Pretzel and Chocolate Squares are a combination of easy to pull together and simply decadent! Plus, they are the ultimate no bake dessert.

It starts off with melted butter, peanut butter, pretzels, graham cracker crumbs and confectioner’s sugar. Easy, right? Press the dough into the 9x13” prepared pan. 

Next, melt the peanut butter and chocolate chips together. Add the vanilla extract for that gourmet taste. Layer it onto the crust. Toss peanuts and candy evenly over the filling layer.

Try a few spins on this classic the next time! Simply replace the peanut butter where it’s called for in the recipe and mix up the toppings based the butter spread.

You could substitute Nutella for the peanut butter and use hazelnut spread chocolate candies to finish! Almond butter and Jordan almonds would be fun in the Spring, or cookie butter bars topped with mini cookie cereal sounds different! For a nut free version, try sun butter, and top the cookies with pretzels, milk, white and dark chocolate chips. I can’t wait to see what you come up with, let me know!

The best part is that the Peanut Butter, Pretzel and Chocolate Squares do not require any special tools and you can make them in stages. They are easy for a beginner or intermediate baker.

Yield: 12 large or 24 small squares

Author: Stacey Berk

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Peanut Butter, Pretzel and Chocolate Squares

These squares pack a peanut butter chocolate punch! This is a great make ahead, no bake dessert for the peanut butter chocolate lover!

prep time: 25 Mcook time: total time: 25 M

ingredients:

Base

• 1 ½ sticks of butter, melted
• 1 cup of crunchy or smooth peanut butter
• 1 ¼ cups of honey whole wheat pretzel rods, crushed
• 1 cup of graham cracker crumbs or vanilla wafer cookies, crushed
• 1 ½ cups of sifted confectioners’ sugar

Filling

• ½ cup of smooth peanut butter
• 1 ½ cups of chocolate chips (a mix of semi, dark and/or milk to taste)
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Topping

• ½ cup of peanuts
• ½ cup of peanut butter coated candy
• ½ cup of peanut butter chips and/or ½ cup of mini peanut butter cups or large broken into pieces

instructions:

How to cook Peanut Butter, Pretzel and Chocolate Squares

1. Prepare a 9x13-inch baking pan with baking spray.
2. Base- Combine the melted butter and peanut butter. Add the crushed pretzels, graham cracker crumbs, and sugar to the mixture until well blended, creating a thick dough. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Filling- In a medium glass bowl, microwave the peanut butter and chocolate chips for 30 second intervals until the mixture has melted, stirring in between as needed. Add the vanilla extract. Spread evenly over the base layer. Let it cool for 5 minutes.
4. Topping- Toss peanuts and candy evenly over the filling layer, pressing down gently.
5. Chill the mixture overnight with a piece of parchment paper covering the dessert. Cut into squares with a sharp knife, dipping in hot water (and drying it off) in between cuts if necessary for clean squares.

NOTES:

• Try alternatives like Nutella, almond butter, or cookie butter! Simply replace the peanut butter where it’s called for in the recipe. Mix up the toppings based upon the butter spread. • If you have a peanut allergy, try sunflower butter in place of the peanut butter. Top with milk and white chocolate chips or a colorful nut free chocolate candy. • The Peanut Butter, Pretzel and Chocolate Squares do not require any special tools and you can make this recipe in stages. They are easy for a beginner or intermediate baker.

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