Prepared and baked in under 30 minutes, these Peanut Butter Shortbread bars are super easy to make. Made with only 4 basic ingredients, it's packed with amazing flavor and the classic light, melt in your mouth texture.
Butter, sugar, peanut butter and flour is all that's required to make the shortbread.
Surprised by the few ingredients and simplicity? Trust me, the taste is absolutely incredible. Plus it's sure to become your new favorite once you try it.
This is the perfect bake with minimal effort whether you're an experienced baker or a beginner in the kitchen.
No more ingredient panic: Tips and substitutes for this recipe
Skip to Full recipe with measurements and method
- Peanut butter: Crunchy or smooth peanut butter works well in this shortbread. I used a sugar free peanut butter for this recipe. A ¼ cup of sugar added the perfect sweetness to the shortbread.
If you are using peanut butter with added sugar, I suggest you cut down on the sugar. Or else the shortbread will be too sweet. 2 - 3 Tablespoons ( 25g - 37g) should be sufficient when using peanut butter with added sugar.
- Butter: The butter should be at room temperature, but not melted. Room temperature butter mixes well and more easily with the sugar, compared to cold butter.
- Sugar: White granulated OR castor sugar
- Flour: Either all purpose OR cake flour works perfectly in this recipe.
Tips
- Leave an overhang of parchment paper when lining the pan - This makes it easier to remove the baked shortbread. However if you are using a springform or loose bottomed baking pan, you don't need to leave an overhang.
- Avoid overworking the dough - The baked shortbread has more of a delicate texture. Overworking the dough can make it tough and dense.
- Pre slice before baking - Use a sharp knife to slice the pressed out dough into pieces before baking. This will make it easier to break or cut the shortbread into individual pieces after it's baked.
- Crisp or soft - The baking time suggested in the recipe below is for a crisp shortbread. Reduce the baking time by 5 minutes If you prefer a softer shortbread.
- Cool before removing from the pan - Allow the baked peanut butter shortbread to cool in the pan before taking it out. It will become more firm as it cools. When warm, the shortbread is still delicate and can easily break if removed too early.
How to make Easy Peanut Butter Shortbread bars
Visual only: Full recipe with with ingredient measurements and method below
Enjoy ♡
Easy Peanut Butter Shortbread bars - with only 4 ingredients
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter room temperature
- ¼ cup castor or white granulated sugar See note 1
- ⅓ cup peanut butter see note 2
- 1 ¼ cups all purpose or cake flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 160°C/320°F (standard) or 150°C/300°F (fan forced / convection).
- Grease and line an 8 inch (20cm) square pan with baking paper
- In a large bowl, whisk the butter and sugar together until creamy. (about 3 minutes)
- Whisk in the peanut butter until combined.
- Use a spatula or wooden spoon to fold in the flour to form a soft dough.
- Press the dough out into the prepared baking pan.
- Pre-cut the dough into the serving slices you prefer and pierce each cut portion with a fork.
- Bake for 20 - 25 minutes until lightly browned. See note 3
- Once the shortbread is done baking, leave it in the pan and slice it along the pre-cut lines while it's still warm. Give it time to cool down in the pan before attempting to remove it; it will become firmer as it cools. See note 4
- Dust with a sprinkling of castor sugar for a decorative look and some sweet crunch (optional)
Storage
- Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Enjoy ♡
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