Valentine Peanut Butter Cookie Bars: The Perfect Sweet Treat for Your Loved Ones

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Looking for the perfect dessert to bring to a Valentine’s Day party or to share with your peanut butter-loving friends? These Valentine Peanut Butter Cookie Bars are exactly what you need! Packed with creamy peanut butter, colorful sprinkles, M&Ms, and Reese’s peanut butter hearts, these bars are festive, fun, and absolutely delicious. Not only are they visually stunning, but they’re also incredibly easy to make in under 30 minutes. Let’s dive into what makes these cookie bars so irresistible.

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Why You’ll Love Valentine Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

1. Festive Appeal: The red, white, and pink sprinkles, along with the Valentine-themed M&Ms and Reese’s hearts, make these bars perfect for the holiday.
2. Peanut Butter Heaven: With creamy peanut butter baked into the dough and topped with Reese’s hearts, these bars are a peanut butter lover’s dream.
3. Quick and Easy: With just 15 minutes of prep and 11 minutes of baking, you’ll have these ready in no time.
4. Perfect for Sharing: Whether you’re bringing them to a party or sharing them with your special someone, these bars are a crowd-pleaser.

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Ingredients for Valentine Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

Here’s everything you need to create these delicious and festive bars:

Wet Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness to the bars.
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter: Infuses the dough with peanut butter flavor.
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough.
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar: Adds a deeper, caramel-like sweetness.
• 2 large eggs: Binds the ingredients together.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor.

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: Forms the structure of the cookie bars.
• 1 Tablespoon cornstarch: Helps create soft and chewy bars.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda: Adds lift to the dough.
• 6 tablespoons red, white, and pink sprinkles: Divided to add festive flair to the dough and as a topping.

Toppings:

• 1/2 cup Valentine’s M&Ms: Adds color and chocolatey goodness.
• 2 bags Reese’s peanut butter hearts: Includes both chocolate and white chocolate varieties for variety.

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How to Make Valentine Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

Follow these simple steps to create this delightful treat:

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheet

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray an 11×17 baking sheet with nonstick baking spray or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

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Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough

1. Cream the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until creamy and smooth.
2. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.

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Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and 5 tablespoons of the sprinkles.
2. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

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Step 4: Assemble the Cookie Bars

1. Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking sheet, ensuring it reaches all the edges.
2. Press a grid of Reese’s peanut butter hearts and M&Ms over the surface of the dough. Space them evenly for a visually pleasing design.

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Step 5: Bake

1. Bake the cookie bars in the preheated oven for 11-12 minutes. The edges should be lightly golden, and the center should look set but slightly soft.
2. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool.

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Step 6: Decorate

While the bars are still warm, sprinkle the tops of the melted Reese’s hearts with the remaining tablespoon of sprinkles. Let the bars cool completely before cutting them into 32 squares.

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Tips for Perfect Valentine Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

1. Don’t Overbake: To ensure soft and chewy bars, take them out of the oven when the center is just set. The bars will continue to firm up as they cool.
2. Use Parchment Paper: Line the baking sheet with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
3. Get Creative: Swap out the Reese’s hearts for other Valentine-themed chocolates or add more sprinkles for extra flair.

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Why These Bars Are Perfect for Valentine’s Day

1. Festive Look: The combination of sprinkles, M&Ms, and heart-shaped Reese’s creates a visually stunning dessert that screams Valentine’s Day.
2. Shareable Size: With 32 squares, these bars are perfect for sharing with friends, family, or coworkers.
3. Peanut Butter and Chocolate Combo: This classic pairing never goes out of style, and the addition of festive candies makes it even better.

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Storing and Serving Valentine Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

• Storing: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer and thaw before serving.
• Serving: These bars are best enjoyed at room temperature but are also delicious slightly warmed for a gooey texture.

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Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 85
• Carbohydrates: 13g
• Protein: 2g
• Fat: 3g

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Final Thoughts

These Valentine Peanut Butter Cookie Bars are the ultimate sweet treat for peanut butter and chocolate lovers. They’re festive, fun, and easy to make, making them the perfect dessert for Valentine’s Day parties, gifting, or simply indulging with your favorite people. With their soft, chewy texture and irresistible toppings, these bars are sure to be a hit. Whip up a batch today and spread the love one delicious bite at a time!