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Spooky Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

Spooky Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
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Spooky Peanut Butter Cookie Bars are a deliciously soft and chewy Halloween treat that combines rich peanut butter flavor with festive spooky decorations. Easy to make with simple pantry staples, these bars are perfect for parties, snacks, and celebrations, offering a customizable and family-friendly dessert that’s ready in under an hour.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup smooth or crunchy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Decorative Toppings

  • Candy eyeballs
  • Halloween-themed sprinkles (black, orange)
  • Melted chocolate for drizzling
  • Candy spiders, edible glitter, white icing webs (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Your Pan: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to ensure your bars come out easily without sticking.
  2. Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, combine softened butter with granulated and brown sugars. Beat together until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookie bars.
  3. Add Peanut Butter and Eggs: Mix in your peanut butter until fully incorporated. Then add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to build the creamy texture and rich flavor foundation.
  4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
  5. Spread and Decorate: Transfer the dough evenly into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Decorate with candy eyeballs, sprinkles, or drizzle with melted chocolate to achieve a spooky Halloween look. Gently press decorations onto the dough to help them stick.
  6. Bake and Cool: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Let the bars cool completely before slicing for clean squares that hold their shape.

Notes

  • Use room temperature softened butter and eggs for smooth mixing and even baking.
  • Stir just until combined to avoid toughness and keep the bars soft.
  • Rotate your pan halfway through baking for uniform color and doneness.
  • Decorate the bars before baking to help toppings adhere well.
  • Cut bars with a warm knife to achieve clean edges.

Nutrition

Keywords: peanut butter, Halloween, cookie bars, spooky, chewy, soft, easy dessert, party treat, festive

Find it online: https://tastebudtrek.com/spooky-peanut-butter-cookie-bars/