Oh, hey there. Today I have one of my very favorite addictions for you – chocolate & peanut butter. Is there anything better?
Ever since making my “raw” brownies + peanut butter pattie dough, I couldn’t help but wonder how the two would pair together. Just as I suspected, they make one seriously sweet couple. I mean look at ’em. Look at ’em, would ya?!
How could you go wrong when you start with a base that looks like this?!
This recipe, so simple. And so quick!
First make your brownie layer with 5 ingredients, then your PB layer with 4 ingredients. Smash one on top of the other, just like when you were a kid making mud pies in your backyard (am I the only one?) Next thing you know, bam! You have a 2-layer no-bake PB-chocolate dream on your hands.
I could cozy up next to these bars alllll night. Don’t even get me started on if they were crumbled over ice cream. Whoa mama.
The chocolate layer complements the peanut butter layer perfectly and they remain tender, soft and not too sweet. These make a lovely dessert, mid-afternoon snack or post-workout bite. I kept mine in the freezer by preference and nibbled on corners throughout the day. They go perfect alongside ice cold almond milk. Good thing we had new friends move into the neighborhood to share with or I’d have eaten these all by myself!
Serious yum.
2-Layer No-Bake Peanut Butter Brownie Bars
Ingredients
BROWNIE LAYER
- 1 cup raw walnuts
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
- ~1 cup dates (medjool or deglet noor // pitted)
- 1/4 cup semisweet or dark chocolate chips (non-dairy for vegan)
- 1/2 heaping cup unsweetened cocoa or raw cacao powder
- 1 pinch sea salt
PEANUT BUTTER LAYER
- 1/2 cup pitted dates
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
- 1 cup roasted salted peanuts (if unsalted, add salt to taste)
- 1/2 cup natural salted peanut butter (if unsalted, add salt to taste)
Instructions
- To make the brownie layer, pulse dates in the food processor until small bits remain. Remove from processor and set aside in a small bowl. Add walnuts, almonds, chocolate chips and cocoa powder in the processor and pulse until well combined. Then, while the processor is running, drop small bits of the dates in until a dough is formed. It should begin to ball up at some point. If it remains too dry, add a couple more whole (pitted) dates until a dough is achieved.
- Press into an 8×8 pan (or one of similar size // adjust if altering batch size) lined with parchment or plastic wrap. This makes it easier to lift out and cut.
- Press until flat using your hands or a spatula. Pop in the freezer.
- To make peanut butter layer, process dates until small bits remain. Remove and set aside in a bowl. Then add raw almonds and peanuts and pulse until small bits remain. Add back in peanut butter and the dates and process until well combined. Press on top of brownie layer until smooth. Using plastic wrap or parchment can help get it completely flat.
- Freeze for at least 15 minutes before removing from pan and cutting. Cut into about 20 squares (I cut mine too big and would prefer smaller bites // adjust if altering batch size). Store in an airtight container to keep fresh. I keep mine in the freezer so they stay fresh for weeks.
Emily says
These are so yummy! My family loved them. I’m looking to double the recipe next time and make in a 9 x 13. Any idea how long I should bake for? Thank you!
Hi Emily, these ones don’t require baking. Did you mean to comment on a different recipe?
Emily says
Oh my gosh, I got my recipes mixed up and commented on the wrong one! Sorry about that!
Holly says
Incredible as is, but we also love substituting almond butter for the peanut butter, and raw hazelnuts for the roasted peanuts – A-mazing 😁 Best treats ever, as voted by my family. So thankful for your recipes!!!
Yay!!
Izzy says
Do they NEED to be kept cool or are they firm enough to bring camping?
I think they’re firm enough!
Lilly says
oh my goodness me…. I have been eyeing up this recipe for weeks and purposely putting off making it as I know i would eat it all.
it is PERFECT, thank you such much Dana you are so talented.
I subbed roasted peanuts for extra PB ( Manilife creamy which is the best) and the whole tray has gone, as expected.
THANK YOU DANA! xx
Aww, thanks so much, Lilly! We’re so glad you enjoyed it! xo
Emily says
WOW! The chocolate-peanut butter combo blows me away every time. I just made these and have them chilling in the freezer, but I tried a bit (okay, more than a bit) already and they’re soo rich and satisfying. Can’t wait to share these!
We’re so glad you enjoy them, Emily! Thanks so much for sharing!
Christine says
Just made these last night (and am currently eating one for breakfast) and they are AMAZING. They taste just like a reeses cup! I love the crumbly-ish texture of the peanutbutter layer.
I think my favorite part is that when you keep them in the freezer after you’ve cut them into little squares, they just pop out so easily and are still soft enough to eat! Makes for a great little snack or dessert at the last minute. I cut mine into 20 squares and agree that because of how rich they are, the smaller bites are ideal.
Will be making these again!
Karen says
These were incredible! I really packed the layers tight. My husband is hard to please and he LOVES these. Thank you.
Sam says
Hi Dana! I am so excited to make these! Is there anything I could sub for the walnuts in case of allergy?
Thank you!! :)
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma says
David and I made these for Valentines Day as our dessert. OMG, they were so good! We’re huge fans of them and will be making them again.
Sierra says
I made these today and they turned out wonderfully! Peanut butter and chocolate is my absolute favourite flavour combination. Thank you once again Dana. Perfect for when you have a little sweet craving – so much better than reaching for a chocolate bar or other processed treat.
Reece says
Very very yummy, but need a good processor to make fine date paste. My date paste had a little pieces still left in it, but still the dessert tasted great! Add some maple syrup to the peanut layer for an extra punch of flavor!
Diane says
I just made these with a small processor and it took me a lot longer than twenty minutes. Looking forward to tasting them! For the girl without a processor, I can’t imagine making these with only a knife. Myself I eschew expensive kitchen tools, preferring to spend my dough on hundred- year old bowls or other nonsense. But a small ten dollar processor can be found at just about any kitchen department store and I highly recommend it.
Fiona says
OMG. These will be a regular from now on! Perhaps with a drizzle of chocolate on top! Thank you.
Robin says
I made these for my family- they were A-MAZING!!!! So Amazing, that my husband asked me to make 3 batches to take to his work party! Yay!!!
Kate says
What if I said I NEED A SUPPORT GROUP to stop me from eating these? O.M.G., I’m not joking. I’m speechless. 3 batches later!! I bring them wherever I go, because, what if I get stuck without one when I want one? Truth be told, don’t eat so many, you’ll get a belly ache, I only know from experience!! These are truly, in my opinion, the best no sugar chocolate peanut butter marriage made in heaven I’ve found yet. If you grew up on Reeses, as I did, and got your wits about you to stop eating the crap food, as I did, you will be in love, and grateful as to how easy these are to make. UNREAL. You guys get the prize!! Well done. I need to go, I see another bar staring at me………… HELP!!!
As a note, I made three different kinds of no sugar bars for over the holidays, and these were not the others’ favorites, they said this one was a tad dry. I double batched, and so I think the peanut butter layer wasn’t as mixed and mushy as it could have been. Let the food processor go a bit, my double batch prevented me from finishing in the processor, had to continue in the KitchenAid, so I don’t think it got as ‘buttery’ as my first batch, it was a bit more crumbly.
Gloria says
I made them last night, I had no salted peanuts, but I added a little more peanut butter. They’re just what I savor in my mind. I had three pieces this morning. I can’t wait to share them with family and friends, I am sure they will love them too. Simply Delish!!!!
Jen says
I wish I could blink and make the entire row appear! Hmmm…that would be dangerous. These are a must! Thank you.
Jana says
Absolutely amazingly good stuff….. even my boyfriend really likes them. super easy and fast and SUPER delicious…. Gave them to try everyone I know and only amazing comments… definitely will make them again :)))
Jana
Swang says
I Love this!! Brownie- I love it!! Peanut Butter- I Love it! Both together? Totally love it! Great recipe, will definitely try and comment again. :)
Claire says
I just made these brownies yesterday, and they turned out great! They are delicious, hold together well, and literally look exactly like the picture. How often does that happen?? My dates were a tad dry, so I added a couple teaspoons of water to the batter while I was blending it together. Wonderful vegan recipe! I will certainly make it again.
Diane says
Made these last night after finding a few weeks ago. First, dough was too much to fit in 8×8 and needed 9 in. round, no problem. Finished slivers were then wedge-shaped and very pretty. But: I wanted to love these but they didn’t mix as evenly as I would have liked, making the “brownie” layer a little lopsided with too much raw cocoa flavor in some bites. That might have been me, but it made these more healthy-rich and less brownie-rich tasting. Still, a nice treat with milk or coffee.
Mycale E says
Oh sweet lawd! I’ve been stalking this recipe for a while and finally made them tonight. These are worthy of a haiku:
Lärabars these top
Yummy nutty choco love
Bliss in Oregon
You are the best. So creatie! So glad to hear you enjoyed these, Mycale!
Lee says
I’ll be the peanut butter if you’ll be the chocolate?! :D
Kendra says
Do you think it would work to cook the dates to mash them? My blender isn’t quite up to blending whole dates..:) These look good!
Kendra, cooking the dates would probably not be good, but simply soaking them in a bit of hot water and then finely chopping and scraping them with a knife to get them sticky would probably work better. Hope that helps!
Marilyn says
These are awesome. I could not wait for the dates (I used maple syrup and a bit of coconut oil), plus I had pecans so I used some pecans, almonds and walnuts for the base. I used peanut/hazelnut butter almonds, and a teeny bit of maple syrup for the top. I will try these with dates when I get some. Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
Rebecca B says
I just made these for a friends birthday and let me tell you these are OUT OF THIS WORLD GOOD! They taste exactly like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups without all of the artificial aftertaste. The crunch of all of the nuts and creaminess of the peanut butter make for an absolutely indulgent dessert. The best part is they are so rich you all need a little bit to satisfy. Dates are amazing. No one can believe that there is no sugar. Thank you so so much for this recipe. I will be making it all the time!
Rebecca, yay! I know I love dates, too! They make sugar-free desserts a total possibility. Plus, they’re better than traditional desserts most the time!
Lyis says
I made these for a picnic with friends and everybody LOVED them. Brought the rest to share on our cycling club’s hill-training ride this morning, and now they’re GONE!! Nobody could believe how healthful the ingredients are. Gonna make more tomorrow — they’re really wonderful, and will become a staple in our house. Thank you SOOOOO much for posting this fantastic recipe!! :-)
Alicia @Bakeaholic says
Omg! These look amazing – I’ve been trying tons of raw, vegan healthy dessert/treat recipes lately and these look so good. I will definitely have to make them!! Thanks for sharing! and of course, the best combination ever is pb & chocolate
Turtle says
Just made these, subbing a little extra pb for the peanuts, as I had none. Look wonderful, taste delicious. Used a 9×12 pan, cut into 32 bars, worked out to 126 calories each. Perfect size, very satisfying, lovely with a nice cuppa. Thanks for the recipe!
Siew Hwee says
These bars look great and I’m drooling…. I better go and make them before I faint! Thanks for sharing this great recipe with us!
Alanna says
Dude! These bars look like chocolate peanut butter bliss! And so healthy, too. I’m all over them!
Suzanne says
These look awesome! I can’t believe I used to shy away from pb and chocolate!!
Mariam says
YUM! Well it’s a good thing my dad just came home with a giant box of medjool dates cos I am so making these!
Abby says
Made these today! I swapped out the chocolate chips for a T. of coconut oil and extra 2 T. of cocoa powder. (Used a few T. of almond milk to bring both of the “doughs” together.)
So. Excited.
melissa says
yum! that is next on my to-do list. quick question: does the almonds have to be raw? I have a whole bunch of roasted almonds and would love to use that rather than going out to buy raw ones.
thx,
melis
that would work fine!
Julia says
Ahhh these look completely amazing!!
Moni Meals & Fitness says
Wow! I need one of these pronto! Great recipe as always! Moni xx
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
oh lord i want this in my mouth now – i am going to the grocery store just to buy ingredients for this one today!
pen&pudding says
there are no words for my reaction to these bars, just an open mouthed expression of “where have you been all my life???”
Jenny @ BAKE says
these look incredible! I can’t believe you didn’t have to bake them you would never guess!
Heather says
I like this idea. No oven no extra heat. Beautiful.
Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog says
Yum! These look so delicious – better than a peanut butter cup because there is never enough pb. The chocolate/pb ratio is way off!
Sarah | The Sugar Hit says
Your photography? I can’t even handle it. And your bars? Those I can handle. Handle in my belly.
Alexandra @ Lean Green Healthy Machine says
Peanut butter and chocolate can never go wrong! Thanks for sharing a quick and easy no-bake recipe…with this heat, delicious dessert recipes like these are essential!!
Jamieanne says
Oh my, these look incredible! Too bad I only have 3 dates or I’d be making this right now! I’m definitely getting more dates next time I’m at the store and making these straight away! YUM!!!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
Aww these look so delish! But all of your recipes look delish!
Jennifer says
Pinning this!
xo Jennifer
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Oh my gosh!! this totally made my day!!! i love brownies and pb, and this combo is just the perfect dessert for me :D
alexandra @ sweet betweens blog says
oh. my. word. just when I think your latest recipe can’t be topped, you go and do something ridiculous like this. cannot WAIT to recreate this in my kitchen! thanks for sharing!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says
Haaaaaave meeeeeerrccyyyy.
Lindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen says
Yes! I just made a similar brownie bite and the peanut butter portion looks like the perfect compliment!
Tieghan says
Yes, yes, yes!! I love these bars. Peanut butter and brownies and no bake! Making these as soon as possible!