Chocolate Krispie Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars

I made these chocolate krispie peanut butter shortbread bars on a quiet weekend. I wanted something simple but still layered with flavor.

You get a buttery shortbread base and a creamy peanut butter middle. The crisp chocolate topping with Rice Krispies gives crunch.

The mix of textures makes these bars special. Shortbread gives a sturdy bite, peanut butter adds smooth sweetness, and the chocolate krispie layer brings crunch.

You don’t need fancy tools or tricky steps. Each layer comes together quickly.

If you like desserts that balance rich and crisp, this recipe fits right in. You’ll see how to put the layers together and swap ingredients if needed.

I’ll share the best ways to store them so you can enjoy them all week.

Why You Will Love Chocolate Krispie Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars

You get three layers in every bite—buttery shortbread, creamy peanut butter, and a crisp chocolate topping. Each one balances the other, so the bars never feel too heavy or too sweet.

If you enjoy the classic mix of chocolate and peanut butter, these bars deliver that familiar flavor. The Rice Krispies add extra crunch.

They look impressive but are simple to make. The shortbread is the only baked layer.

The peanut butter and chocolate krispie topping come together quickly in the microwave.

You’ll find them easy to store. Keep them in the fridge for a week or freeze them for longer.

Some reasons you may make them more than once:

• They use basic pantry ingredients like butter, sugar, and peanut butter.
• The bars cut cleanly into squares or triangles for sharing.
• You can switch up the chocolate type—milk, semisweet, or dark.

You get a reliable dessert that feels homemade. Serve them at gatherings, pack them for a treat, or just keep them in your fridge for when you want something sweet.

How To Make Chocolate Krispie Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars

You build these bars in three layers: a baked shortbread crust, a creamy peanut butter filling, and a crisp chocolate topping. Each layer adds its own texture.

Ingredients

For the shortbread crust, you need unsalted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and all-purpose flour. This creates a sturdy but tender base.

The peanut butter filling calls for creamy peanut butter, melted butter, powdered sugar, and a touch of salt. This layer should be smooth and thick enough to spread.

For the chocolate topping, grab semisweet chocolate chips, heavy cream, Rice Krispies cereal, and a little vanilla extract. The chocolate coats the cereal, giving a crisp fudgy layer.

If you want a twist, a thin caramel layer between the shortbread and peanut butter works well.

Instruments

You don’t need special tools, but a few basics help.

• A 9×9-inch square baking pan lined with parchment paper lifts the bars out cleanly.
• A hand mixer or stand mixer works best for creaming butter and sugar.
• A microwave-safe bowl melts butter, peanut butter, and chocolate easily.
• A rubber spatula spreads each layer evenly.
• A sharp knife ensures neat slices once the bars are chilled.

Having these tools ready before you start keeps things smooth.

Step-By-Step Instruction

First, make the shortbread crust. Beat butter and sugar until pale.

Add vanilla, salt, and flour. Press the dough into the pan and bake at 325°F until golden at the edges.

Let it cool completely.

Next, prepare the peanut butter filling. Stir melted butter, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and salt until smooth.

Spread this over the cooled crust. Refrigerate to firm it up.

Melt semisweet chocolate chips with heavy cream. Stir in Rice Krispies, vanilla, and salt.

Spread this mixture over the peanut butter layer. Chill for at least 2 hours.

Cut into squares or triangles.

Tips & Tricks

I picked up a few tips while testing these bars. Each layer has its quirks, so paying attention helps.

• Shortbread texture: Use room-temperature butter for the base. Cold butter won’t cream well.
• Even baking: Line your pan with parchment so the shortbread lifts out cleanly.

The peanut butter layer should feel thick and fudgy. If your peanut butter is too loose, stir in a little extra powdered sugar until it holds its shape.

• Chocolate melting: Heat the chocolate and cream slowly. Stir often so it melts smoothly.
• Mix-ins: Fold the Rice Krispies in gently. Overmixing can crush them.

Chilling between layers helps with clean stacking. Let the shortbread cool before adding the peanut butter, and chill the peanut butter before pouring on the chocolate krispie mix.

• Cutting clean bars: Use a sharp knife and wipe it between cuts. If the chocolate is too firm, let the bars sit at room temperature for a few minutes before slicing.
• Storage: Keep the bars in the fridge so the layers stay firm.

Ingredient Substitute

Sometimes you may not have the exact ingredients, and that’s okay. I’ve tried a few swaps myself.

For the shortbread base, you can use margarine instead of butter. It won’t be as rich, but it works.

If you want a lighter taste, try half butter and half coconut oil.

The peanut butter layer works best with creamy peanut butter. You can swap in natural peanut butter, but add a little extra powdered sugar to thicken it.

If you want to avoid peanuts, almond butter or sunflower seed butter can work.

For the chocolate topping, you have options:

• Milk chocolate for a sweeter bite
• Dark chocolate ganache if you like richer flavor
• Semi-sweet chips as a balanced choice

If you don’t have heavy cream, use regular cream or even whole milk. The texture will be softer, but it sets well after chilling.

For the crispy layer, Rice Krispies are classic, but you can use other puffed cereals like puffed rice or cornflakes. If you don’t have cereal, mini marshmallows mixed into the chocolate add texture, though the bars get chewier.

What To Serve With Chocolate Krispie Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars

These bars are rich and filling. Pairing them with lighter sides helps balance the sweetness.

I like to serve them with simple drinks or small bites. You don’t need anything fancy.

• Coffee or espresso – The slight bitterness cuts through the chocolate and peanut butter.
• Cold milk – Classic and always works with anything similar to rice krispie treats.
• Fresh fruit – Strawberries, raspberries, or sliced bananas add freshness.
• Vanilla ice cream – A scoop on the side makes the bars feel special.
• Whipped cream – Light and airy, it softens the richness.

If you want to keep it casual, serve the bars alongside other no-bake treats. Rice krispie treats, peanut butter cookies, or simple chocolate chip cookies make a nice spread.

For gatherings, I like to cut the bars smaller and serve them with fruit and nuts. This way, guests can mix and match.

How To Store Chocolate Krispie Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars

How you store these bars affects their texture. The shortbread is crisp, the peanut butter is soft, and the chocolate krispie topping is delicate.

Place the bars in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps out air and helps the shortbread stay crisp.

If you’re stacking bars, add parchment or wax paper between layers. The chocolate won’t stick.

For longer storage, you can refrigerate the bars. The cooler temperature firms up the peanut butter and chocolate topping.

Let the bars sit at room temperature for a few minutes before eating.

If you want to prep them ahead, freezing works too. Wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a sealed container or freezer bag.

They’ll keep well for several weeks. Thaw individual pieces when needed.

Here’s a quick guide:

• Room temperature: 3–4 days in an airtight container
• Refrigerator: Up to 1 week, wrapped or sealed well
• Freezer: 4–6 weeks, tightly wrapped and stored in a container

Nutritional Value

When you make these bars at home, remember they’re a layered treat. You’ll use butter, sugar, peanut butter, chocolate, and Rice Krispies.

Each layer brings its own calories and nutrients. The bars turn out rich and filling.

A single square (about 1/12 of the pan) usually has 250–350 calories. The shortbread packs in most of the carbs and fat. Peanut butter and chocolate add protein, more fat, and sugar.

Here’s a quick breakdown per serving:

• Calories: ~250–350
• Carbohydrates: 25–35 g
• Fat: 15–20 g
• Protein: 4–6 g
• Sugar: 18–25 g

You’ll get a little calcium, iron, and potassium from the chocolate and peanut butter. Peanut butter gives some protein and healthy fats. Butter and sugar make these bars more of a dessert than a snack.

If you want to lighten them up, try cutting smaller squares. Use dark chocolate, or swap some butter for coconut oil. Little tweaks like these can help you adjust the nutrition without losing flavor.