Why You’ll Love This Easy Peanut Butter Blossom Bar Recipe

These Peanut Butter Blossom Bars aren’t just a dessert; they’re a revelation for any baker looking for a simple, delicious, and impressive treat. Here’s why this recipe is destined to become a beloved staple in your kitchen:

• Time-saving & convenient baking method
  • Forget the tedious process of scooping individual cookie dough balls and rolling them in sugar, which can be time-consuming and messy. With this bar recipe, you simply press the entire batch of dough into a single pan, eliminating those extra steps. This streamlined approach means less hands-on time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your delicious creations, making it perfect for busy schedules or when you need a large quantity quickly.
• Perfect for sharing and any occasion
  • Once baked, these bars are incredibly easy to slice into uniform pieces, ensuring a neat and professional presentation every time. Their convenient bar shape makes them ideal for a wide array of occasions – from casual family desserts and school lunchboxes to elegant dinner parties, bustling bake sales, or thoughtful homemade gifts for loved ones. They travel well and are always a crowd-pleaser, guaranteeing happy faces all around.
• Classic flavor, reimagined in a neat bar form
  • This recipe masterfully preserves the nostalgic and irresistible flavor combination of rich peanut butter and creamy chocolate that we all adore from the classic peanut butter blossom cookies. However, it presents it in a more convenient, easy-to-handle bar format. This new look doesn’t just simplify the baking process; it also makes for a cleaner eating experience, perfect for grab-and-go enjoyment without the crumbly mess often associated with traditional cookies.

Pro Tip for Holiday Baking: Make your holiday events and special occasions extra memorable by using seasonal Hershey’s Kisses! Think festive flavors like caramel, brownie batter, or even birthday cake-themed kisses to add a unique and delightful touch that truly stands out. It’s a simple way to customize your bars for any celebration!

Pro Tip for Customization: Unleash your inner pastry chef by experimenting with a variety of chocolate candies or even other small confections (like peppermint patties or caramel squares) to top your bars. This is a fantastic way to tailor the flavor profile to specific tastes or holiday themes, making each batch uniquely yours!

1. Step 1. Cream Wet Ingredients: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, both granulated white sugar and light brown sugar, and the softened salted butter. It’s crucial that your butter is truly softened (but not melted) to achieve the right consistency. Using an electric mixer (either a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a handheld mixer), cream these ingredients together on medium-high speed for approximately 3 minutes. Continue mixing until the mixture becomes wonderfully creamy, light in color, and visibly fluffy. This creaming process incorporates air, which is essential for the bars’ tender texture.

2. Step 2. Add Eggs and Flavorings: Once your base mixture is light and fluffy, crack in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure full incorporation. Then, add the vanilla extract and salt. Continue to mix on medium speed for about 1 minute until all these ingredients are thoroughly combined and the mixture is smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is evenly mixed.

3. Step 3. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: This is where the magic truly comes together. Add the all-purpose flour and baking soda to the wet mixture. Mix slowly at first to prevent the flour from creating a cloud in your kitchen! Gradually increase the speed and mix until the flour is just incorporated, forming a soft, cohesive dough. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough bars. The dough should resemble soft play dough in texture – not crumbly, but easily moldable. If your dough feels too dry or crumbly, add a tablespoon or two of milk (dairy or non-dairy) until it reaches the desired consistency.

4. Step 4. Press into Pan: Lightly grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal. Transfer the entire dough into the prepared pan. Using a spatula, your hands, or the bottom of a glass, gently and evenly spread the dough across the bottom of the pan. Make sure it reaches all corners and forms a uniform layer for even baking.

Pro Tip for Presentation: For a visually appealing and professional-looking batch of Peanut Butter Blossom Bars, use a ruler or a small guide to help you evenly space the chocolate kisses on top. This ensures each bar slice gets a perfectly centered chocolate topping, making them even more enticing for guests!

5. Step 5. Bake and Cool: Place the pan in your preheated 350°F (175°C) oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. The bars are done when the edges are lightly golden brown and the center appears set. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter. Crucially, remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool in the pan for a minimum of 20-30 minutes before adding the chocolate kisses. This cooling period is vital; if you add the Kisses too soon, the residual heat from the bars will cause them to melt into a puddle, rather than holding their iconic shape.

6. Step 6. Add Kisses and Slice: Once the bars have cooled sufficiently (they should still be warm to the touch, but not hot), gently press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each designated bar section. The slight warmth will help the chocolate adhere without melting completely. To slice, I typically aim for 4 rows of 6, yielding 24 generous servings. However, if you prefer smaller portions, you can do 5 rows of 6 for 30 slices. Use a sharp knife for clean cuts. Allow the bars to cool completely before serving for the best texture and to prevent the chocolate from smearing.

📌 Common Mistakes & Troubleshooting for Peanut Butter Blossom Bars

Even seasoned bakers encounter challenges. Here are some common issues you might face when making Peanut Butter Blossom Bars and how to prevent or fix them:

• Overbaking: Dry or Crumbly Bars
  • Issue: If your bars turn out dry, tough, or excessively crumbly, it’s highly likely they were overbaked. Peanut butter cookies and bars are meant to be soft and tender.
  • Solution: To achieve that perfect chewy texture, begin checking for doneness at the minimum baking time (around 20 minutes). The edges should be lightly golden, but the center might still look slightly soft or underbaked. This is perfectly normal! Remember, the bars will continue to set as they cool in the pan. A good rule of thumb is to remove them from the oven just when the top looks set, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, not wet batter. Trust the process and don’t wait for them to look “fully baked” like a cake.
• Chocolate Kisses Melting into Puddles
  • Issue: You’ve baked beautiful bars, but when you add the Hershey’s Kisses, they completely melt into a flat, unappealing chocolate smear.
  • Solution: This common issue occurs when the bars are still too hot. The residual heat will quickly melt the chocolate. It’s crucial to allow the baked bars to cool significantly, for at least 20-30 minutes, before gently pressing the chocolate kisses onto their surface. The bars should still be warm enough to slightly adhere to the chocolate, but not so hot that it instantly liquefies. For extra insurance, especially on a warm day, you can even refrigerate your Hershey’s Kisses for 10-15 minutes before unwrapping and placing them on the cooled bars.
• Crumbly or Stiff Dough (Difficult to Press)
  • Issue: If your dough is too dry, it will be hard to press evenly into the pan, resulting in a crumbly texture that doesn’t hold together well. This usually happens from over-measuring flour or if your peanut butter is very thick.
  • Solution: The dough for these bars should be soft and pliable, akin to play dough. If you find your dough is too dry and crumbly after mixing, don’t fret! Simply add a tablespoon or two of milk (dairy or non-dairy, depending on your preference) at a time, mixing until the dough reaches the correct, soft consistency. Avoid adding too much at once; gradually incorporate until it’s easily pressed without breaking apart.
• Uneven Baking
  • Issue: Some parts of your bars are perfectly baked, while others are still doughy or overcooked.
  • Solution: Ensure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature by using an oven thermometer. Also, make sure your dough is spread evenly in the pan, with no thick or thin spots. Rotate the pan halfway through baking if your oven tends to have hot spots, to promote uniform cooking.

Yes, you absolutely can use natural peanut butter! However, be aware that natural peanut butter often has a different consistency due to oil separation. It’s crucial to stir it very well before measuring to ensure the oils are fully re-incorporated. Also, because natural peanut butter can be oilier, you might need to slightly reduce the amount of added butter in the recipe (start with 1-2 tablespoons less) to maintain the desired dough texture. Keep an eye on the dough consistency and add a touch of milk if it still feels too dry.

This is a key step! The most important trick is patience. Allow the baked bars to cool for a significant amount of time—at least 20-30 minutes—after removing them from the oven before you place the Kisses. The bars should still be warm enough for the chocolate to slightly soften and adhere, but not hot enough to melt into puddles. For an extra safeguard, especially if your kitchen is warm, you can chill the Hershey’s Kisses in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes before unwrapping and adding them to the bars. This helps them hold their shape better.

Absolutely! These Peanut Butter Blossom Bars are a fantastic make-ahead dessert, which is one of their many advantages. You can bake the entire batch of bars a day or even two in advance. Once they are completely cooled and the chocolate kisses are set, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They remain wonderfully fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. For longer storage, see the freezing tips below.

To maintain their freshness and chewiness, store the cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to extend their shelf life, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. For longer storage, these bars freeze beautifully! Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or gently warm in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.

Yes, this recipe is perfect for doubling, especially if you’re baking for a large crowd or a big event. You’ll need to use two 9×13 inch pans or bake in batches if you only have one. Make sure your mixing bowl is large enough to handle the increased volume of dough, and allow for slightly longer baking times, watching for the golden edges and set center. Doubling is a great way to ensure you have plenty of these delightful bars on hand!

Did you try this recipe? If you absolutely loved making and tasting these easy Peanut Butter Blossom Bars, we’d be thrilled to hear from you! Please make sure to leave a ⭐️ star rating and a comment below the recipe card. Your feedback is incredibly valuable, not only do I love hearing your experiences, but it’s also super helpful to other readers who are looking to try this delicious recipe. Your ratings and comments help our community grow and discover new favorites!

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Easy Peanut Butter Blossom Bars