Peanut Butter Desserts Everyone Will Go Nuts Over — 8 Best-Ever Recipes

Creamy, rich and so so good — we can’t get enough of peanut butter! The classic PB&J will always be one of our favorite sandwiches, and chocolate and peanut butter candy is undeniably irresistible. But when we’ve got a big craving, nothing satisfies quite like peanut butter desserts. From cheesecake and parfaits to cupcakes and brownies, the possibilities are endless for the versatile ingredient. Keep reading for our favorite peanut butter dessert recipes, then just grab that jar of peanut butter and get cooking!

Tricks for baking with peanut butter

Most dessert recipes call for using smooth peanut butter. That’s because its texture is ideal when it comes to whipping into a frosting, folding into a batter, measuring out in a cup, or heating up for drizzling. However, if crunchy is your favorite, it’s best to incorporate it into the batter of a cake, cookie, brownie, or bar. This way, you’ll have crunchy nuts to munch on throughout each bite without adding lumps to a silky smooth frosting.

Prefer natural peanut butter? Go ahead and swap it in — just be sure it’s thoroughly mixed first. Natural peanut butter tends to separate, with the oil rising to the top of the jar. If it’s not well incorporated, you could accidentally add too much oil to your recipe. (Hate having to stir? Click through for a genius trick for storing nut butter that lets you skip the step.)

8 easy recipes for peanut butter desserts

Here are the easy treats we come back to again and again whenever a PB craving strikes.

1. Nutty Chocolate-Caramel Bars

Inspired by the classic Snickers bar, these squares deliver chewy nutty goodness without extra additives.

2. Peanut Butter-Snickers Cheesecake

Children and adults alike will love this no-bake creamy twist on a candy bar, made with a caramel-peanut layer hidden inside.

3. Stacked Peanut Butter & Caramel Brownies

These ooey-gooey from-scratch delights take just 15 minutes to prep.

4. Creamy Peanut Butter Parfaits

These salty-sweet treats can be prepped a day ahead of time, then topped with whipped cream to serve.

5. Peanut Butter-Pretzel Cheesecake Bars

These bars combine salty pretzels with sweet-tangy cheesecake for
a sensationally decadent treat.

6. Peanut Butter Brownie Layer Cake

A filing made with peanut butter and cinnamon-sugar cream cheese shines in this choco-licious treat.

7. Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Peanut butter cups baked right into the batter make for an extra-sweet surprise in our chocolaty delights.

8. Chocolate-Peanut Butter Pudding Cups

Super creamy and low-fat, this 20-minute treat is easy to make, thanks to instant pudding and a peanut butter cream.

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For more tasty desserts:

Fluffernutter: 4 Delicious New Ways to Enjoy This Salty Sweet Treat

These 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Couldn’t Be Easier to Make

Peanut Butter Is Even Better When It’s Savory

Pro Baker’s Secret to Best-Ever Chocolate Cookies: Just Add a Little Coffee to the Batter