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Valentine's Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

These Valentine's Peanut Butter Cookie Bars can be packed full of your favorite Valentine's candies. They are perfectly moist and flavorful!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 40 bars
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

For the peanut butter cookie dough
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • ¾ cup creamy peanut butter (6 ounces)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 egg
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
For topping the cookie bars
  • ½ cup Valentine's m&m's
  • ½ cup Valentine's Peanut butter m&m's
  • 15-20 chocolate hearts
  • 1-2 tablespoons granulated sugar (optional, for topping)
  • 1-2 tablespoons Valentine's sprinkles (optional, for topping)

Equipment

  • rimmed quarter sheet pan (9"x13" pan)
  • large mixing bowl
  • Hand or stand mixer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • silicone spatula
  • Parchment paper (optional)

Method
 

To make the peanut butter cookie bars
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Use convection bake if you have it.
  2. Lightly grease a quarter sheet pan or line it with parchment paper then set it aside.
  3. Add softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in a large bowl and cream using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
  4. Add the egg, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Mix until combined, then scrape down the bowl.
  5. Add the flour and mix until combined. Scrape down the bowl.
  6. Spread the dough throughout the pan. Use another piece of parchment paper to press it down evenly, if desired. The dough should cover the entire pan.
  7. Place the m&m's and chocolate hearts throughout the dough, lightly pressing them down.
  8. Sprinkle additional granulated sugar and sprinkles throughout the dough as well, if desired.
  9. Bake the cookie bars for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges just begin to brown.
  10. Remove them from the oven and allow the bars to cool to room temperature before cutting and removing them from the pan.