Skip to Content

16 Peanut Butter Desserts for the Ultimate Salty-Sweet Treat

Put that jar of peanut butter to good use!

By
peanut butter and jelly bars
Stacy K. Allen

Whether it’s rich and creamy or thick and crunchy, peanut butter is one of those ingredients that has a very devoted fanbase—Ree Drummond being one of those fans! “Gosh, I don’t think there’s a smoother sight than a freshly cracked jar of peanut butter,” she says. If you adore this nutty spread just as much as Ree does, you probably look for ways to put it in everything: pancakes, sandwiches, salads—you name it. But out of all the mouthwatering peanut butter recipes to choose from out there, it simply shines in desserts. From chocolate peanut butter treats to fresh and fruity pairings, peanut butter desserts strike the perfect balance between salty and sweet.

To curb your craving for this silky, sticky wonder, we’ve rounded up all the best dessert recipes that put peanut butter at the front and center. Our list has creamy pies, crumbly bars, gooey brownies, and chewy cookies that are packed with rich, nutty goodness. Try one of the recipes that combine peanut butter and jelly! You’ll find popular Christmas cookies that make an excellent edible gift, plus an easy recipe for homemade Reese’s. And because this ingredient gives a lot of dishes structure and flavor, it’s the perfect addition to no-bake desserts that you can whip up in mere minutes if you’re in a pinch or have no interest in heating up the kitchen. Since you probably have a jar of peanut butter stashed in your pantry already, these recipes couldn’t be easier—or more delicious—to make. Here are the peanut butter desserts you’re bound to go nuts over.

1

No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie

no bake peanut butter pie
David Malosh

Transform a childhood favorite into a delectable dessert by stacking a buttery cracker crust with a fluffy peanut butter filling and ribbons of sweet-tart raspberry preserves. It’s like a PB&J in dessert form!

Get Ree’s No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie recipe.

2

Scotcheroos

the pioneer woman's scotcheroos recipe
Danielle Daly

Chocolate and peanut butter get a crunchy, cozy upgrade with rice cereal and butterscotch chips. These bars are both crispy and creamy, salty and sweet, and perfect for snack or dessert.

Get the Scotcheroos recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies

the pioneer woman's no bake peanut butter cookies recipe
Will Dickey

To get your peanut butter fix in a flash, these no-bake cookies are just the thing. And since they keep for up to a week, you can curb your cravings for days. This recipe even has a secret ingredient: pretzels!

Get the No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies recipe.

4

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

peanut butter and jelly bars
Stacy K. Allen

Peanut butter cookie layers swirled with strawberry preserves and topped with honey-roasted peanuts is a treat both kids and grown-ups will love. Rich, gooey, and crumbly—what more could you ask for?

Get Ree’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

chocolate peanut butter pie dessert recipe
Will Dickey

Ree’s famous chocolate peanut butter pie is cool, creamy, and incredibly satisfying. It comes together in under 25 minutes with just a few ingredients, and you won’t need to bake a thing!

Get Ree's Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie recipe.

6

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

peanut butter chocolate chip cookies dessert recipe
Will Dickey

Can't decide between peanut butter cookies and chocolate chip cookies? This recipe blends the best of both into one bite-sized treat. A dash of flaky sea salt on top pulls all the salty-sweet flavors together.

Get the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Peanut Butter Cheesecake

peanut butter cheesecake dessert recipe
Will Dickey

With a nutty cookie crust, a silky peanut butter filling, and a velvety ganache topping, this dessert is perfect for peanut butter lovers. It even has peanut butter cups and cocktail peanuts as the finishing touches!

Get the Peanut Butter Cheesecake recipe.

8

Peanut Butter Fudge

peanut butter fudge dessert recipe
Caitlin Bensel

Each square of this peanut butter dessert is packed with creamy, nutty goodness. Add a chocolate drizzle and a sprinkle of chopped peanuts, and you’ve got a decadent delight you’ll want to devour in one sitting.

Get the Peanut Butter Fudge recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

Peanut Butter Cookies

peanut butter cookies dessert recipe
Caitlin Bensel

To let the peanut butter flavors shine, churn out this classic cookie. This peanut butter dessert has chewy centers and crispy edges, and a touch of honey enhances the nutty taste.

Get the Peanut Butter Cookies recipe.

10

Peanut Butter Brownies

peanut butter brownies dessert recipe
Will Dickey

This triple-layered treat features a smooth peanut butter filling sandwiched between two dark chocolate brownies. As if this peanut butter dessert wasn’t drool-worthy enough, the top is covered in peanut butter chips and semisweet chocolate chips.

Get the Peanut Butter Brownies recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

peanut butter cups dessert recipe
Caitlin Bensel

These dark chocolate peanut butter cups might just outshine traditional Reese's. Aside from the mouthwatering taste, this peanut butter dessert has a dense filling, all thanks to graham cracker crumbs.

Get the Homemade Peanut Butter Cups recipe.

12

Peanut Butter Blossoms

peanut butter blossoms dessert recipe
Will Dickey

Peanut butter blossoms might be a go-to Christmas cookie, but they’re tasty and easy enough to make all year-round! Just pop a Hershey's Kiss on top of each baked cookie, and let them cool completely before digging in.

Get the Peanut Butter Blossoms recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

no bake peanut butter bars dessert recipe
Danielle Daly

Whether it’s an after-school snack for the kids or a quick treat to satisfy your sweet tooth, these peanut butter desserts take just 20 minutes to whip up. Grab a few pantry staples, and you'll be done in no time.

Get Ree's No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars recipe.

14

Buckeyes

peanut butter desserts buckeyes
Caitlin Bensel

A ball of peanut butter rolled in melted chocolate is a dessert anyone can get behind. If you’re craving a nostalgic bite, these no-bake candies will have you going buck wild.

Get the Buckeyes recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15

Chocolate–Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwiches

chocolate peanut butter ice cream sandwiches dessert recipe
Ralph Smith

Want to give peanut butter chocolate chip cookies an even tastier spin? Just add ice cream! A scoop of chocolate ice cream is stuffed between two freshly baked cookies for a peanut butter dessert like no other.

Get Ree's Chocolate–Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwiches recipe.

16

Quick Peanut Butter–Chocolate Cookies

peanut butter chocolate cookies dessert recipe
Ryan Liebe

If you manage to have leftover peanut butter cups, make them even sweeter by wrapping them in store-bought cookie dough. Who knew two ingredients could be so delicious?

Get Ree's Quick Peanut Butter–Chocolate Cookies recipe.

Watch Next 
Video poster
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below