Sorry for the unplanned absence this week! I caught a crazy cold on Sunday, and it’s been hanging on all week. Thanks to lots of fresh fruit, veggies, and, of course, Nyquil I seem to be getting better. I still sound kind of scary when I talk, but at least I’m coherent enough to write a post without worrying about what I’m saying! I feel bad for keeping this recipe from you longer than planned. These peanut butter chocolate malted cookie bars are just too good!
Quick, easy, and delicious. All things that make a dessert a winner. And these cookie bars fit that description! Like a lot of new recipes, these cookie bars came about as a cupboard purge. Do you have a container of malted milk powder that sits neglected in the back of your cupboards because you bought it to make malts one time and then completely forgot about it? Or am I the only one? Well, if you do, you can make these peanut butter chocolate malted cookie bars, too!
Soft, thick peanut butter cookie bars get an upgrade with malted milk powder, chocolate chips, and peanut butter chips. Make sure you don’t over bake them. These bars are soft and cake-like, so they’ll dry out if you bake them too long. Take them out just as they’re starting to turn light golden brown, and you’ll have warm, gooey perfection! Happy Friday!
- ¼ C unsalted butter, softened
- ⅓ C brown sugar
- ¼ C sugar
- ½ C creamy peanut butter
- 1 egg
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 C all-purpose flour
- ½ C malted milk powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ C semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ C peanut butter chips
- Preheat oven to 350. Lightly spray an 8x8 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together butter and sugars. Add in peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract and beat until creamy.
- In a small bowl, whisk together flour, malted milk powder, baking soda, and salt. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and beat until combined. Stir in chocolate and peanut butter chips.
- Spread batter into prepared baking dish. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until edges start to turn golden brown. Do not over bake.
- Remove to a wire rack to cool. Cut into bars. Store leftovers in an airtight container.
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Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats says
Jessica, you had me at malted milk powder! Love this!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says
Mmmm that malted part alone has me running!
Kristy @ Chocolate Slopes says
This is exactly my kind of cookie bar – chocolate +peanut butter = perfection!
Tonia from TheGunnySack says
I love cookie bars but I’ve yet to make a peanut butter version! I love the addition of the malted milk powder.
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Jessica, these are the perfect sweet treats to be shared on a Friday!!! just in time to bake over the weekend! and so glad that you are feeling better!!!
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert says
Glad you are starting to feel better. These cookie bars sound wonderful, Jessica. Such a great way to end the week!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
These bars look amazing! Anything with peanut butter is a winner in my book. I think I could devour the whole batch!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
Those look delicious! I love the peanut butter and malted milk combo – I need to go get some malted milk powder just to make them I think!
Jessica @ Stuck On Sweet says
I so have a container of malted milk that just sits in my cupboard so you are not alone. Definitely making these to use it up!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
It’s been far too long since I have used malted powder in anything. Great looking bars!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
So glad you are feeling a little bit better. These cookie bars are the perfect way to end this long week. They look amazing!
Cyndi @ My Kitchen Craze says
I hope your better soon so you can enjoy your weekend! I hate being sick. It is just not fun at all. These bars look absolutely amazing. I am a huge bar lover and anything that has pb in it. Yum!! I need to make these asap! Happy weekend! 😉 Pinned!
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps says
I LOVE malt powder. My husband doesn’t understand that when I ask for a malt, I don’t want a shake, I want a MALT. There’s just something about the flavor that gets me all nostalgic, I’ve never had it in cookie form before, but I know I’d love it!
Ashley says
Oh no! I’m glad you are starting to feel better! Colds are no fun!
These bars look wonderful! Hope you have a great weekend friend!
Miranda @ Cookie Dough & Oven Mitt says
Glad you’re feeling better! These bars look delicious! I can’t get enough malted milk. I’ve been on a kick since all the Robin Eggs have come out!
Jenn@eatcakefordinnere says
Such a good idea to use up malted milk powder. I have some hanging out in my cupboard too.
Medha @ Whiak & Shout says
These look amazing! love that flavor the malted milk powder brings 🙂
CakeSpy says
I love the addition of malt powder – it really has the power to make desserts amazing! These sound like a lovely afternoon treat.
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says
Obviously I am obsessed with PB and chocolate, but I am also loving the addition of malt powder in these bars. Yum! Hope you’re feeling better!
Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel says
the yummiest looking bars to have after work or just as a snack during the day. super duper yummy!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I absolutely love that you put malted in a peanut butter bar! Genius!
Zainab says
This is just a classic!!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
I am so glad you are feeling better. Sometimes just taking a break is what our body needs to recover. But now that you are back, I’m glad to see those fun bar cookies. I have 2 containers of that malt powder that I bought and still haven’t used. I should probably get on that huh?
Carol atWild Goose Tea says
I am glad you are feeling better. You came back in full form however with this wonderful bar cookie!!!!
Joanne says
Hope you’re feeling better!! Oh man, peanut butter and malted together…that has to be a good thing!
Jen @ Carlsbad Cravings says
I love anything peanut butter and I am loving the addition of malt – insane! can’t wait to try these soft peanut butter decadence!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
Hope you’re feeling better! I think it’s going around; I was really sick there for a few days, too, and you do NOT want to hear my voice when I’m ill. I sound like some kind of creature, ha! Naturally raspy when I’m not ill means my voice is all kinds of whack when I am sick. Thankfully we have malt bars to make us better. These look awesome, girl!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
I love how chewy and delicious these cookie bars look!
Mercedes says
A couple of these bars with a cold glass of milk sounds like perfection to me!
Ramona says
Looks like the perfect treat. I love peanut butter and chocolate together! 🙂