Peanut Butter Fingers Recipe

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Fingers

Made mainly with pantry staples, these peanut butter fingers are as easy to make as they are to eat. To make peanut butter fingers, you’ll need:

• All-purpose flour: Gives the bars their structure.
• Kosher salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
• Baking soda and baking powder: Leavening agents to give the bars a lift for a light, tender texture.
• Unsalted butter: Adds a buttery richness and flavor.
• Light brown sugar: To sweeten the bars, with a nuanced flavor and additional moisture from molasses.
• Granulated sugar: Teams up with brown sugar to sweeten the bars.
• Large egg and egg yolk: Binds the dough and adds richness.
• Vanilla extract: For an aromatic depth.
• Creamy peanut butter: The main flavor of the bars, while adding fat for additional tenderness.
• Rolled oats: A chewy, nutrient-rich addition.
• Dark chocolate: Coats the bars for a chocolatey finish.
• Peanuts: Sprinkled over the top for a crunchy texture and to signal the peanut butter flavor.
• Flaky sea salt: A salty crunch.

How To Make Peanut Butter Fingers

There’s a reason these are a time-honored favorite—these bars are quick and easy with a deceptively simple but impressive chocolate topping. Full instructions are below, but here’s a brief recap before you get started:

• Step 1. Prepare pan and oven: Preheat oven, and grease and line a 9- x 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
• Step 2. Combine dry ingredients: In a bowl, stir together flour, kosher salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
• Step 3. Make dough: Cream butter and sugars until lightened in color. Beat in egg, yolk, and vanilla. Scrape down, and beat in peanut butter until smooth. Beat in flour mixture to combine. Mix in oats.
• Step 4. Bake dough base: Spread dough evenly in pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Sprinkle immediately with chopped chocolate. Let stand 2 minutes, then spread evenly to coat. Top with peanuts and salt. Chill until firm.
• Step 5. Cut bars: Cut rectangles and serve.

Peanut Butter Fingers Variations

To add your own unique twist to these peanut butter fingers, consider these variation ideas:

• Mix-ins: Add mini or standard chocolate chips, flavored chips, nuts, pretzel pieces, toffee bits, marshmallows, dried fruit, M&M’s, shredded coconut, or other favorite mix-ins to the dough before baking for additional flavor.
• Spices: Add a hint of spice and warmth to these bars with ground ginger, nutmeg, or cinnamon.
• Toppings: If you just aren’t in a chocolate mood, drizzle the bars with warmed peanut butter before garnishing. You can also swap the dark chocolate with milk or white chocolate, if preferred.

How To Store Peanut Butter Fingers

Bake and store these peanut butter fingers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. You can also refrigerate them for up to one week, or freeze for up to three months. Note that with the chocolate topping, it’s best to refrigerate the bars during the warmer months to keep the chocolate from melting and developing a “bloomed” appearance. Bring to room temperature before serving.