Nutter Butter Bars

Nutter Butter Bars are a simple one-bowl dessert bar recipe made with creamy or chunky peanut butter, topped with rich chocolate ganache.

Quick and Easy Nutter Butter Bars

Deliciousness and decadence. Those are the two words to describe my Nutter Butter Bars.

You could also describe them as a rich and peanutty dessert bar that tastes similarly to the nutter butter cookie we all know and love and from which this recipe was inspired.

Interestingly, my Nutter Butter Bars are made with creamy peanut butter and rolled oats, and topped with a rich chocolate ganache.

And, unlike other recipes you might find on the Web, these are sans Nutter Butter Cookies.

Even so, these bars rise above the ordinary, especially when you want a dessert that can easily be passed around, or for those afternoons when all you want is a sweet treat to satisfy those gnawing hunger pangs.

Nutter Butter Bars Recipe Variations

Lately, I’ve also expanded this recipe to include other nut butters, as well.

This is especially great for those folks who want to use other butters, like almond or cashew butter.

Best of all, they’re easily exchangeable, regardless of which nut butter you choose. Just use the same amount as you would peanut butter noted in the recipe below.

To prove this, I made three batches made with three different nut butters: peanut, cashew and almond. They all bake up the same and each tastes–like the nut butter that they’re made from.

Storing and Shipping Your Nutter Butter Bars

The impetus to make these Nutter Butter Bars came with the need to make something to share with my kids when they were away from home.

Whether they attended scout camp or college, these beauties have traveled the distance to bring them a little bit of homemade goodness.

So if you want to send these bars in care packages, it’s best to make sure that the bars have cooled completely and the chocolate ganache frosting has set firmly before packing them up.

RELATED: Camp Care Packages Tips and Ideas

One way to speed up the cooling process is to throw the frosted bars into the freezer for about 10 minutes. This way, the frosting will harden properly and the bar will also be cool enough for shipping.

Then, when you are ready to pack your bars use non-stick parchment paper to separate the layers.

Recommended Products for This Recipe

When you ship or store these dessert bars, I recommend you choose sealed tins, cookie boxes or plastic BPA-free storage containers like those listed below:

Creative Converting Cookie Box

I love this cookie box because you can to stack your bars, layer by delicious layer.

Martha Stewart Vintage Kraft Treat Box

This is a perfect box for any care package or dress it up for any occasion, especially weddings, showers and birthdays.

Wilton Holiday Large Cookie Box

Firm boxes like those below, are great for shipping and helps keep your Nutter Butter Bars from getting squished. I also like these boxes because you can load them up then add a label with your own personalized greeting.

Have I whet your appetite? Then it’s time to bake a batch for yourself. Happy Cooking!

For more delicious ideas for bars and cookies, be sure to check out Wisconsin Homemaker’s Recipe Section.

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Nutter Butter Bars

Nutter Butter Bars is a simple one-bowl dessert bar recipe made with creamy or chunky peanut butter, topped with rich chocolate ganache.

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time45 mins

Course: Desserts

Cuisine: American

Keyword: 45-minutes-or-less, bake sale, bar recipe, peanut butter, peanut dessert, potluck, snack recipe

Servings: 15 servings

Calories: 490kcal

Author: Deborah L Melian

Ingredients

For the Bars:

• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick) softened
• 2/3 cup creamy or chunky peanut butter or almond or cashew butter works well too
• 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup dark brown sugar packed
• 3 whole eggs beaten
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour sifted
• 1 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt

For the Chocolate Ganache:

• 12 oz heavy whipping cream
• 16 ounces Hershey’s Dark Chocolate Chips

Instructions

For the Bars:

• Preheat oven for 375 degrees F.
• Use non-stick spray or butter to grease a 9 x 13 inch pan.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat together all of the ingredients in the order that they are listed.
• Mix well and spread into the baking pan.
• Place in oven and bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Let cool completely.

For the Chocolate Ganache:

• In a small sauté pan, heat the whipping cream to hot but do not boil. Turn off heat and add the chocolate and stir well until smooth.
• Once the ganache has cooled somewhat, pour over the bars. Let set for approximately 1 hour.
• Cut and serve. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 490kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 402mg | Potassium: 336mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 570IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 130mg | Iron: 1.5mg