Buttery and flaky shortbread is covered with a rich chocolate peanut butter mixture then topped with peanut butter cup minis in these Chocolate Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars. Rich like fudge, this dessert is not for the faint of heart.

A tray of dessert, topped with mini peanut butter cups, is displayed on a wooden surface.

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Key Takeaways

Chocolate Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars feature buttery shortbread topped with a rich chocolate peanut butter mixture and Reese’s minis.
The dessert combines sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter, creating a magical flavor blend.
This treat contains three layers: shortbread, a peanut butter mixture, and a topping of Reese’s minis.
You can customize the top with any chocolate flavor, making it perfect for holidays.
The recipe also suggests related dishes like Homemade Peanut Butter and Peanut Butter Bars.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars

I hate to call anything ‘the best’ because that’s a little different for everyone. Let’s just say these are very, very, very good Chocolate Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars!

Something magical happens when you mix sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter together. And, as good as that is, it’s even better if it’s chocolate peanut butter. Yep, folks, this is like milk and cookies, Sonny and Cher, bacon and anything… it’s a match made to go together.

Did I mention it’s good?

And if sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter weren’t enough to set this over the edge, I topped with Reese’s minis! Because I’ve been dying to use these minis in something!

These minis are the reason I made this dessert, actually. They are just so darn cute, I couldn’t resist getting a bag…and then another.

I’ve been loving peanut butter lately, I made Peanut Butter Dip, Peanut Butter Pound Cake and Small Batch Peanut Butter Cookies.

These candy bars have three layers. The bottom is a buttery shortbread. The second layer is made by mixing sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter. I used a chocolate peanut butter. You can use regular flavored peanut butter if you prefer. Topping it all off are these adorable Reese’s minis. You can add any flavor or color chocolate on top making it perfect for any holiday.

The chocolate peanut butter actually is dark and looks like chocolate, not the jar pictured below. I was making something else and grabbed the wrong peanut butter jar for these pictures. I didn’t realize it until I was processing the pictures. #mybad

Dessert topped with mini peanut butter cups are displayed on a wooden surface, with extra peanut butter cups and a jar of peanut butter in the background.

Also, try these recipes

Chocolate Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars

Buttery and flaky shortbread is covered with a rich chocolate peanut butter mixture then topped with peanut butter cup minis in these Chocolate Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars. Rich like fudge, this dessert is not for the faint of heart.

Author: Paula

5 from 16 votes

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Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 35

Total Time: 40

Servings: 12 servings

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Ingredients

2/3 cup butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 and 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup chocolate peanut butter Peanut Butter & Co Dark Chocolate Dreams
2 cup Reese’s minis like these

Instructions

Preheat oven 350 degrees fahrenheit.
Line a 9×9-inch square pan* with and over-hanging piece of waxed paper or parchment paper.
Mix butter, sugar and flour until it resembles wet sand.
Press evenly into pan.
Bake for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, mix peanut butter and sweetened condensed milk until well combined.
Pour over shortbread crust.
Bake 20 minutes. The top will change from shiny to matte when ready.
Remove from oven and immediately top with 2 cup Reese’s minis.
Cool completely before cutting.

Notes

Store in an air-tight container in refrigerator up to one week. *an 8×8 inch square pan may also me used. You may need to cook 1 to 2 more minutes, so keep an eye on it.