Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for a treat that’s irresistibly buttery, rich with peanut flavor, and just the right amount of sweetness, let me introduce you to the Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars Recipe. This dessert combines a tender shortbread base with a luscious peanut caramel layer topped with glossy chocolate, creating a bar that feels both nostalgic and a little bit luxurious. Every bite melts in your mouth and offers the perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, and sweet. I promise, once you make these bars, they’ll become your go-to for gatherings, gifts, or whenever a little indulgence is needed.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe lies in how simple and thoughtfully chosen the ingredients are. Each one plays a vital role to bring out the delicious texture, deep flavors, and inviting appearance of the bars.
- All-purpose flour (1½ cups): This gives the shortbread its tender, crumbly foundation; gluten-free flour works great if needed.
- Milled flaxseed (1 tablespoon): Adds a subtle nuttiness and helps bind the dough gently.
- Coconut sugar (4 tablespoons): A slightly caramel-like sweetness that complements the peanut butter perfectly.
- Sea salt (½ teaspoon & 1 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors, balancing sweetness with just the right hint of saltiness.
- Smooth peanut butter (¾ cup plus extra for crust and topping): The star ingredient, delivering creamy texture and rich flavor depth.
- Vegan butter (½ cup): Provides richness and helps create that buttery shortbread texture.
- Water (2 tablespoons): Helps bring the dough together without making it sticky.
- Pure maple syrup (¾ cup): Sweetens and thickens the caramel layer with a natural, earthy tone.
- Coconut oil (¼ cup, solid): Adds smoothness and sheen to the caramel, also contributes to that melt-in-your-mouth quality.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Brings warmth and rounds out the flavor profile.
- Vegan chocolate (8.5 oz): The perfect decadent finish for the topping, balancing all the nutty sweetness.
How to Make Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
Start by preheating your oven to 175°C (350°F) and greasing your 8″ square pan, lining it with parchment paper for easy removal later. In a food processor, blend the flour, milled flaxseed, coconut sugar, sea salt, ¼ cup peanut butter, vegan butter, and water until you have a dough that sticks together nicely. Press this mixture evenly into the pan and prick the surface gently with a fork to prevent puffing. Bake for about 15-18 minutes until the edges turn a lovely light brown, then set aside to cool.
Step 2: Create the Caramel Layer
For this luscious layer, combine the 1 cup peanut butter, pure maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon sea salt in a heatproof bowl. Using a double boiler setup, gently heat and stir until everything melts into a smooth, creamy caramel. Once ready, pour this over your cooled shortbread base and pop it into the freezer to set. A minimum of 4 hours is ideal, but overnight works wonders.
Step 3: Prepare and Add the Chocolate Topping
Melt the 8.5 oz vegan chocolate together with 3 tablespoons peanut butter over a double boiler, stirring until perfectly combined and silky. Pour this luscious chocolate layer over the caramel-topped bars and place the pan in the fridge to firm up for 15-20 minutes. This final step gives you that dreamy chocolate finish that cracks just right.
Step 4: Slice and Serve
To cut neat slices without cracking, heat a sharp knife in boiling water, dry it off, and gently slice through the bars. The warmth helps the knife glide smoothly through the chocolate and caramel layers. Keep your bars stored in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days for the best flavor and texture.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars Recipe
Garnishes
These bars already shine on their own, but a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a few chopped roasted peanuts on top before setting can add a lovely crunch and flavor burst. For a festive touch, dust a little cocoa powder or drizzle some extra melted peanut butter for a pretty contrast.
Side Dishes
Serve these bars alongside a scoop of vanilla or coconut ice cream for a delightful dessert pairing. They also pair beautifully with fresh berries or a cup of robust coffee or tea, which cuts through the richness and balances the sweetness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut the Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars Recipe into bite-sized squares for party platters or pack them individually in cellophane for homemade gifts. Layer them in dessert parfaits with whipped coconut cream and chopped nuts to turn them into an elegant treat for special occasions.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover bars in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator to maintain their texture and freshness. They hold up beautifully for 3-5 days, making them a convenient snack for busy days.
Freezing
If you want to make a batch ahead of time, these bars freeze wonderfully. Wrap individual pieces or the entire slab tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. They can be stored frozen for up to 2 months without losing their delicious flavor.
Reheating
To enjoy after freezing, thaw bars overnight in the fridge and bring them to room temperature before slicing and serving. Avoid microwaving as it can alter the texture—let nature’s gentle thaw do the work here.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter will add some extra texture and nutty bites to your bars, making each mouthful even more interesting. Just keep in mind that it may alter the smoothness of the caramel and chocolate layers slightly.
Is it possible to make this recipe nut-free?
This particular recipe relies heavily on peanut butter’s flavor and texture, which is central to the bars. However, you could experiment with sunflower seed butter or soy nut butter as a substitute, but results may vary in taste and consistency.
What’s the best way to cut the bars cleanly?
Heating a sharp knife in boiling water before slicing and wiping it dry is key for clean, smooth cuts. The heat gently softens the chocolate and caramel, preventing cracking and messy edges.
Can I use regular butter instead of vegan butter?
Yes, regular butter can be used if you’re not following a vegan diet. It will lend a rich, creamy flavor and help maintain that perfect shortbread texture.
How long does it take to set the caramel layer?
We recommend freezing the caramel layer for at least 4 hours to ensure it firms up completely and supports the chocolate topping nicely. Overnight freezing works best if you’re planning ahead.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly comforting about homemade baked goods, especially when they wrap your favorite flavors in one perfect bite. This Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars Recipe offers that cozy indulgence while feeling special enough to share. Whether it’s a treat just for you or a star at your next gathering, I can’t recommend trying it enough. Get ready to fall in love with a bar that’s buttery, sweet, and packed with peanut buttery goodness!
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Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 43 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Delicious vegan peanut butter shortbread bars featuring a buttery shortbread crust, a smooth vegan caramel layer, and a rich peanut butter chocolate topping. Perfect for satisfying sweet cravings with plant-based ingredients and natural sweeteners.
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (substitute with gluten-free all-purpose flour if desired)
- 1 tablespoon milled flaxseed
- 4 tablespoons coconut sugar (or light brown sugar)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ cup smooth peanut butter (e.g., NutShed Original Peanut Butter)
- ½ cup vegan butter (room temperature)
- 2 tablespoons water
Caramel Layer
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter (e.g., NutShed Original Peanut Butter)
- ¾ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup coconut oil (solid)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Topping
- 8.5 oz vegan chocolate
- 3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter (e.g., NutShed Original Peanut Butter)
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Lightly grease the base and sides of a square 8″ pan using oil or vegan butter, then line with parchment paper.
- Make the Shortbread Dough: In a food processor, combine the flour, milled flaxseed, coconut sugar, sea salt, ¼ cup peanut butter, vegan butter, and water. Process until the ingredients come together to form a dough. Press the dough evenly into the base of the prepared pan, smoothing with a spatula or flat-bottomed glass. Prick the dough gently several times with a fork.
- Bake the Crust: Bake the crust for 15-18 minutes until it is slightly browned. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely to room temperature.
- Prepare the Caramel Layer: In a heat-resistant bowl, combine the peanut butter, maple syrup, solid coconut oil, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Place the bowl over a double boiler (bain-marie) and heat gently, stirring continuously until all ingredients melt and form a smooth caramel.
- Assemble Caramel Layer: Pour the caramel mixture evenly over the cooled shortbread crust. Place the pan in the freezer to set for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
- Prepare the Topping: Melt the vegan chocolate and 3 tablespoons peanut butter together over a double boiler, stirring until fully combined and smooth.
- Apply the Topping: Pour the melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture over the set caramel layer. Refrigerate the bars to set the topping for 15-20 minutes.
- Slice the Bars: To cut clean slices, heat a sharp knife by placing it in boiling water. Wipe the knife dry and gently slice through the bars, using the heat to glide through the layers smoothly.
- Store Properly: Store the peanut butter shortbread bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 3-5 days. Leftover bars can be frozen and defrosted as needed for later enjoyment.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend.
- Ensure vegan butter is at room temperature for easier dough formation.
- Using a double boiler for melting ingredients prevents burning and ensures smooth textures.
- Heating the knife before slicing helps achieve clean and neat slices.
- These bars keep well in the fridge and can be frozen for extended storage.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan
