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Peanut Butter Pie Cookie Bars

If you’ve ever found yourself torn between the creamy indulgence of peanut butter pie and the chewy comfort of a cookie bar, get ready — because this recipe brings the best of both worlds into one crave-worthy dessert. These Peanut Butter Pie Cookie Bars are rich, gooey, and loaded with layers of flavor. Think buttery cookie base, a luscious peanut butter filling, and a whipped cream topping that ties it all together.

These cookies are very similar to my Peanut Butter Pie Cookies! This recipe is a little simpler to make, as it’s in bar form. The base cookie is a slightly different, and made with a denser dough to accommodate being made into a bar form. Both options are delicious!

These cookie bars are the kind of dessert that disappears fast at parties — but they’re also low-key perfect for sneaking from the fridge late at night. You can slice them into tidy squares for elegant presentation or make them rustic and oversized for that homemade feel. They’re easy to transport, easy to serve, and even easier to eat. And since they’re served chilled, they’re a total summer lifesaver when you want dessert without turning on the oven for hours.

Make It Your Own!

The best part? You can totally make this recipe your own. Craving a chocolate-peanut butter combo? Mix cocoa powder into the whipped cream or drizzle chocolate sauce over the top. Want to bring some crunch? Add crushed pretzels or peanuts as a garnish. You can even swap the cookie base for a chocolate chip cookie dough, a graham cracker crust, or even brownies if you’re feeling extra. The recipe is super forgiving, which means it’s a great canvas for creativity!

Why You’ll Love Peanut Butter Pie Cookie Bars

Three Layers of Bliss – Buttery cookie, smooth peanut butter filling, and whipped cream on top? Yes, please.
Make-Ahead Friendly – Chill, slice, and serve when you’re ready.
A Crowd Favorite – Perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or just because.
Customizable – Add chocolate chips, drizzle with fudge, or sprinkle with crushed peanuts. I’ve topped these with crushes Reese’s Pieces – which is optional, but highly recommended!

Dessert That Gets Better with Time

Like many layered desserts, these bars somehow taste even better the next day. The flavors get cozy with each other in the fridge, the cookie base softens just a bit under the creaminess of the filling, and the whipped cream stays light and fluffy. That makes them a perfect make-ahead dessert for holidays, birthdays, or when you want something sweet ready to go at a moment’s notice.

Ingredients

Cookie Base

3/4 cup salted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg, plus 1 egg yolk
1.5 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups flour

Peanut Butter Pie Filling

8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Cool whip for topping

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish, or line with parchment paper.
Cream together butter and sugars. Add in egg and vanilla, mix until combined.
Mix together dry ingredients in a separate bowl – corn starch, baking soda, salt, flour – and mix into the butter and sugar mixture. Mix until just combined.
Bake cookie base for 14-16 minutes. Edges should be gold brown, with the center still soft. Overall, the top of the cookie dough should no longer be glossy.
Allow cookie base to cool completely.
While cookie base is cooling, cream together peanut butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar until completely combined and mixture in light and fluffy.
Once cookie base is cooled completely, spread peanut butter mixture evenly over cookie.
Top with cool whip, and sprinkle crushes Reese’s pieces, peanut butter M&Ms, chocolate chips, or whatever topping you’d light! Topping garnish is optional, but highly recommended.
Cut into small squares, and enjoy!

As always, if you give this recipe a try I would love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below!