I love peanut butter. And I love Nutella. Two great loves of my life.
And these bars combine those two loves.
The finished product is like eating the inside part of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup that’s been spiked with a bit of Nutella.
All coated with chocolate frosting.
Make no mistake: It’s very fast and easy to get Project Ooh and Ahh going.
They are no-bake, and no mixer is required. In just a few minutes and you’ll be oohing and ahhing, too.
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Nutella & Peanut Butter Graham Bars with Chocolate Frosting
For the bars:
1 c butter (2 sticks), melted
1/3 c brown sugar
2 c powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1.5 c graham cracker crumbs
1/2 c Nutella
2/3 c peanut butter
For the chocolate frosting:
1.5 c chocolate chips
1/4 c butter
1/4 c cream or milk
1/2 c powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Directions: In a large microwave safe bowl, melt the butter. Then add the brown sugar, powdered sugar, vanilla extract and stir by hand until combined (will look lumpy and strange). Then add the graham cracker crumbs and stir until combined. Finally, add the Nutella and peanut butter and stir until combined. Press the mixture into a sprayed 9 x 9 pan (for thinner bars, use a 9 x 13 pan but I prefer thicker bars). Place in freezer.
While the bars are cooling, make the chocolate frosting by melting the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl, taking care not to scorch them and checking every 15-30 seconds or so. After the chocolate chips are melted add in butter and cream and stir to incorporate. Then add powdered sugar and vanilla extract and stir to incorporate. If mixture becomes too thick to work with and the chocolate begins to set up, microwaving it again for 15 seconds will soften it.
When the frosting is ready, remove the bars from the freezer, frost them, and put bars back into the freezer to set up for a half hour before slicing them.
I store my sliced bars in the freezer or fridge in an airtight container and take them out about 20 minutes prior to eating. As they come up to room temperature, the flavor intensifies and they are more delicious and creamy but they will keep for weeks/months in the freezer as a make-ahead dessert.
Notes & Substitutions:
To make this vegan, replace all butter and cream with margarine and almond or soy milk. Rather than using Nutella use all peanut butter, use chocolate peanut butter that is vegan-safe, or add some cocoa powder to the nut butter of your choice.
To make this gluten free, use GF graham cracker crumbs.
If you don’t like Nutella, don’t have it, have a peanut allergy, want to use different ratios or types of nut butters, etc. feel free to try them. More than likely most substitutions will work just fine. You’re looking for approximately 1 to 1.5 cups of nut butter, total, in whatever type and combination you prefer.
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A Visual Guide
First melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl
Add in the sugars & stir
Then add the graham cracker crumbs & stir
Then, add in the Nutella and PB & Stir
Didn’t I tell you, these were calorie free?
The bowl weighed about 5 pounds at this point. Butter, sugar, graham cracker crumbs, Nutella & PB. What’s not to love?
Press the mixture into the sprayed pan and freeze.
Make and apply the chocolate frosting, and put the whole thing back into the freezer to set up for a half hour or so.
The finished bars are rich, decadent, fattening, sweet, peanut buttery with a hint of Nutella, too. Everything I want in a dessert.
I don’t want “healthy” desserts.
I want these.
It’s like the bar version of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. The graham cracker crumbs, combined with the sugar, butter, and Nutella, make a really close approximation of a Reese’s PB Cup.
And that’s a beautiful thing.
This is the type of dessert I’d recommend cutting the pieces fairly small. They are like lead balloons of sugar and butter and nut butter in your belly, which is wonderful. And filling.
But suit yourself and cut them big, by all means!
This recipe looks longer and far more complicated than it is. It took me longer to type this up than make these bars. Truly, a 5-minute special of active prep time. I was just being extra thorough with the directions and notes based on questions I anticipate receiving.
Similar & Related Recipe Suggestions:
If you like Peanut Butter, check out my entire section of Peanut Butter Recipes
If you like Chocolate, check out my Chocolate Recipes
If you like Chocolate + PB, try Raw Vegan Peanut Butter Cups
If you like Nutella, check out my Fudgy Nutella Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
If you like Peanut Butter + Chocolate + In Bar Form, check out No Bake Nutter Butter & Special K Bars with Chocolate Frosting
and No Bake Special K Bars with Chocolate Frosting
From my last post featuring our Aruba Vacation Highlights, thanks for saying it was fun for you to see. It was fun for me to post! And I loved hearing about your favorite vacation memories and stories.
Questions
1. Best thing you’ve ate or done so far this weekend?
These bars rank right up there and Sunday I plan to take lots of pictures. I love planning and scheduling photo-making time for myself. It’s like a date with myself and my camera. It’s such a nice thing for me to have that penciled in on my mental calendar and I look forward to it but it’s weather dependent so we shall see.
2. Do you like Nutella? Peanut Butter? Chocolate?
If you say no, I may question your sanity.
3. Any favorite desserts you’ve had lately?
P.S. If you’re just catching up on posts from the weekend, here are mine since Friday
Made these – they were amazing – and everyone loved them. One thing though the chocolate top slid off and didnt’ stick to the bottom – I wondered if it was bec I’d frozen the bottom while I baked other stuff then they were quite frozen when I put the topping on. Going to make them again and put the icing on when they aren’t so frozen and see if it helps.
Glad to hear you loved them and yes I think having the bottom be super cold could have somehow impeded the chocolate from adhering properly. If you try again following the recipe and not freezing them, LMK if that does the trick for you!
I love reading through your site! How do you make all these decadent deserts and stay thin lol!
Moderation! A few bites. Not a whole pan :)
These look AMAZING! I will be attempting them tonight…curious, however, how many servings?
Makes a 9×9 pan, so just depends how you cut the pieces. I would make 9 to 12 bars from that pan, or 15 if you cut them on the skimpier side.
Uuuuuhh, the look amazing. They look like I should not be allowed to eat one of these but I want to have one so desperately!!!
This is what you call a meal fit for Chuck Norris. It is perfection.
thanks!
i’m marrying this. you’re all invited.
glad you like it!
I am dying to try these… but I have to ask you – WHERE did you get those awesome bowls??? I want them!
The mixing bowls are these if that’s what you mean. EVERYONE comments on them!
http://astore.amazon.com/lovvegyogruna-20/detail/B003X2ZNH2
WOW! These look yummy. I’m a sucker (lazy and hate to use the oven unless it’s freezing in the house) for NObakes. I bookmarked a ton of the recipes you listed and the ones you featured. I invented some NO BAKE, NO COOK, NO MELT 6 ingredient cookie balls (with nut butter, sugar and chocolate – no worries)… give these a try http://flythecoopcrafts.blogspot.com/2011/08/hurricane-balls-no-bake-cookies.html and thanks for sharing! Sher
your balls look great!
i am a fan of the nobakes, too
here are about 25 varieties in one post :)
http://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2010/01/ball-recipes.html
Just made these, I’m so excited to try them! Also made the No-Bake Vanilla Truffles and added chocolate chips so they’re like cookie dough balls… nomnomnom! Thanks for the recipes!
thanks for lmk and for trying the recipes! :)
hey averie!
I have a healthy nutella recipe I’d love to share! will you try it!???
Healthy Nutella!
http://pureglowsixteen.blogspot.com/2011/06/homemade-nutella-wait-i-mean-rawtella.html
Hi Averie! New to your blog. Saw it on the Barre3 Facebook page. This dessert looks soooooooo good–and I am so not a dessert person. Must make these. Two of my favorite ingredients in my morning Shakeology shake are peanut butter and Nutella. Now I have another way to try them! Thanks for the great recipe!
I like both, but I like PB more. The best thing that I ate this weekend was the cheese fondue that I made for my sister’s shower.
Hi Averie,
first of all I wanted to wish you all the best for your birthday!!!!!
I wanted to let you know that I enjoy reading your blog, I love your recipes and you seem to be a really cool lady!
I am sending you many greetings from Berlin, Germany!
And, yes, say hi to Skylar from me, she is soooo cute!
Natalia
Happy Birthday! You sure are a good faker…don’t look sick in the least! Your pictures are great, and Skylar is such a darling; it’s fun to watch her grow up on your blog. Thanks for letting me vicariously enjoy Aruba; I’d love to go there sometime.
Get well now…
Howcome after cooking such delicious recipe you maintain to look so good i mean how u look so toned even after eating full diet it may sound out of way but i am really worried about gaining weight tnx.!!!
Wow, these look great, but like lead balloons too. :-P Awesome job. And great dessert inspiration.
1. Moved mountains on our office and ate brunch at an amazing vegan restaurant.
2. Truthfully I’ve never tried Nutella. But yes on PB and chocolate!
3. My hemp seed fudge balls! Best of both worlds, decadent an healthy. :-)
These seriously look amazing. I have been known to eat an entire tub of nutella with a spoon in one sitting.
Oh my goodness. If I still had Nuspli I wouldn’t be typing this because I’d be in the kitchen.
I had a Rainforest Cafe volcano yesterday in celebration of my boyfriend graduating.
Nutella and pb= my snack almost every night for the past week and a half..LOVE IT!!
Bless you and this recipe!!
You know I am going to make these… Yes I already checked that I have everything I need, they are staples really for me. ;)
Happy bday too. :)
umm YUMM much?? You always have the best combinations to make sweet treats even better! Beautiful photography btw!!
Wow. Those bars look AMAZINGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!
Beautiful photos!!!!
ps—Happy Birthday, gorgeous :-)
thanks for the bday wishes and compliments :)
Your pictures look amazing Averie! Love the pink you added to the shots. Nutella and PB?! Seriously 2 of my favorite things. I don’t see how you can go wrong. Knock out treat girl!
Thanks for all the compliments!
I love nutella and peanut butter. For some reason I had never heard of Nutella in NC (where I’m from). After living in Italy for 5months, I discovered it and absolutely can’t live w/o it. I enjoy peanut butter as well. I have a 1/2 piece of toast of Nutella and Almond butter every morning w/ my cereal. Yum! Also, enjoyed the Aruba posts, I have never thought of Aruba to visit much, but now I really want to go.
Suzanne
Ah, Averie- these photos are beautiful, and the recipe makes me so hungry! Sounds just perfect!
Ive had a great weekend. All though I have been working, I have spent so much time with my friends- which is always great. Ive also had a few runs, and enjoyed the sunny weather!
thanks for the compliments!
Best thing I ate. Organic Cherry Tomatoes by the Pint & Organic Purple Grapes.
Both a little bit on sale. Some Flackers & Baba Ganoush.
Now I remember what I was going to do today, MAKE THESE!!!!
may i greet you here too?? happy birthday!!! i made that cake batter no bake with chocolate frosting…soo good but so sweet too. what else you think i can use besides the condensed milk? bc i love cake batter!
Just a splash of milk then or cream. You just need the dough to stick together. You are using such a very *small* amt of sweetened cond milk I really just recommend using that but if you must, then sub out and use cream or even almond milk :)
I think Dustin would LOVE these bars!!! I know i would! Oh my lawd, they sound incredible. I might have to try them, for Dustin, of course. ;)
The pics are awesome! Hope they were accepted, I’d be shocked if they weren’t.
There’s nothing like combining your two loves… these look GREAT!
OMG those bars are H U G E !!!!
Nutella + Peanut Butter > Peanut Butter & Jelly
These kind of remind me of buckeyes but the nutella puts it over the top! They looks absolutely decadent!
Peanut butter + nutella = heaven, probably. :)
I love nutella. So much that I used to over-do it all the time and feel really sick. :P But I’m better about that, now..
One of my faves is nutella inside a thin crepe with sliced bananas (that aren’t too sweet yet).
wow those look…sweet haha! you know, i like the idea of nutella and i favor justin’s choco-hazelnut spread because it’s not too sweet but the real nutella kinda makes me feel tooth rot and a little sick! i had a spiked bourbon caramel sea salt milkshake last night…wow! so good!
I love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter. But to be honest, I have actually never tried Nutella! I’m not a fan of Filberts (hazelnuts, whatevs) , so I don’t know if I’d like it! But it’s mixed with chocolate, so that’s gotta mean it’s good, right?? Because these bars look soooo good!
I went to a 90th birthday party yesterday and today my husband and I are going to the zoo before hunkering down and actually getting some chores and food prep done. That part won’t be the most fun, but it’s gotta be done!
honestly it tastes NOTHING like hazelnuts, imo.
hazelnuts taste dirty to me. this does not. at all :)
Ooh, that’s definitely a good sign!!
I think I’ll have to surprise my husband with these on Father’s Day next Sunday! We are both Nutella, peanut butter, and chocolate fans, but he’s the one that introduced me to Nutella. I’m pretty sure I’ll score some points with this recipe! Thanks!
my hubs has been putty in my hands after giving him these :)
Oh my. Those are absolutely beautiful.
I love chocolate and I love peanut butter, but I can’t do nutella. too sweet. I like making my own, though by mixing unsweetened chocolate with nutbutter! YUMMY!
fished tons of your comments to me out of my spam yesterday…you’re all good now :) not sure why some were in there and some not, but you’re out now.
haha,,,that is too funny…Thanks! :P
No bake, no mix, huh?
I’m in!
Brooke Annessa
http://www.theannessafamily.blogspot.com
and perfectly timed because IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!! <3 <3 HAPPY BIRTHDAY gorgeous goddess <3
omg yay my comments are working again :) hehe
fished tons of your comments to me out of my spam yesterday…you’re all good now :)
oh my gosh these look good! i am so making them soon and yes i LOVE nutella & pb. best thing i’ve done this week-end so far is probably hanging out with family on state street! have a great rest of the week-end!
xo~ kristina
fished tons of your comments to me out of my spam yesterday…you’re all good now on my site :)
oh okay, awesome!! thanks for letting me know ;)
xo ~ kristina
Can you believe I’ve never tried nutella? so far I’ve been enjoying a weekend filled with family and friends. That trumps any food I’ve eaten ;-)
no, i can’t. get on board! NOW! :)
OMG, these deserts look really good. I getting a sweet tooth just looking at them. And to think I can use Nutella and be healthy. That is a plus. Thanks for the recipes. Now I can keep my weight down.
These look AMAZING. I was actually going to make something with Nutella in it for my friend’s birthday tonight, but she requested red velvet, so I’m delivering. But that’s okay, because when I finally do many these I can keep them all for MYSELF!
I’ve loved Nutella since it’s pre-US days, when we used to bring back jars from France. That stuff is like the nectar of the Gods.
she can have her red velvet; you and I know what’s up with the nutella :)
I’ve actually never tried Nutella! I’m in love with peanut butter, and when it’s mixed with chocolate, I’m definitely a chocolate fan. ;) This recipe looks AMAZING. I’m sure the whole family loved it!
get ON board girl. seriously. try it you will fall in love!
I’m drooling over these. I’m adding them to my must make list because peanut butter, Nutella and chocolate are some of the best things in life. Your dessert recipes always look so amazing!
there’s my favourite bowl again!!
“Project Ooh and Ahh” – – > awesome. i know you’re progressing into photography more and more, but your writing still draws me in, averie!
great work on the bars. they look amazing. can you believe i have never purchased nutella in my entire life (so embarrassed) – we just never grew up with it, and while peanut butter is a staple, i’ve never gone down the nutella path…gotta fix that!
happy sunday!
OH. MY. GOODNESS. GRACIOUS. I love peanut butter, Nutella, and chocolate too – you know that ;) Sensational bars.
Best thing I did this weekend = danced in a showcase yesterday with Suave Slav. 24 dances. So much fun and with energy to spare since I take care of myself now.
sounds like you two had a blast!
Unreal. Oh my god. But I love it!! You certainly don’t see desserts like this in the health foodie blog-o-sphere, which is rather sad. But I must say though, my favourite way to eat nutella is straight up, with a spoon :D
“You certainly don’t see desserts like this in the health foodie blog-o-sphere, which is rather sad”– agreed and it’s why I don’t label myself a health food blogger and why I read lots of baking blogs…at least I get to see things like this :)
Best thing I’ve done this weekend is sleep in, get an amazing run in and spend time with my bf :)
And yes of course I love PB and chocolate. But not as much as I love coconut!
I’m craving these so hard right now. I need them, like asap. Peanut butter and nutella are my two greatest loves. My name is written all over them!
Hope all is well :)
Um. I’m pretty sure you just invented the best thing in the world. Peanut butter? Chocolate? Grahams? Nutella? Is there seriously anything better? Nutella actually brought my BFF and I together! I spotted her in her college dorm room holding a jar and I immediately barged in the room and introduced myself. We then proceeded to bond over the amazingness that is Nutella. Never underestimate the power of chocolate!
thanks for the compliments and love your bff/nutella story!
OH MY GOODNESS! I think I’ve said this about a billion times about things on your blog but these are the best things I’ve ever seen. You must have read my mind because peanut butter + nutella are two of my very favorite things too! And these look so dense and rich and utterly amazing. Averie, you have outdone yourself.
that’s high praise that you say I outdid myself..thank you hon :)
Your description of it is mouth-watering. I don’t think I could (should) keep these around though…it’s too tempting and I have serious self-control issues with sugar and chocolate :(
I used to be obsessed with PB! I never thought I’d “get off it” – but I tried Almond butter about a year ago – thinking that I wouldn’t like it as much and be able to break my addictions….um, not so much – turns out I love Almond Butter even BETTER!
Yikes! Cashew butter and Sunflower seed are other faves.
And this is why I love you: “the inside part of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup that’s been spiked with a bit of Nutella”
You have truly outdone yourself with this recipe. Seriously. My mom and I are sitting down tomorrow to decide what to make for my grad party next weekend and I think i know what to make for dessert.
put these on your list of to-make items :)
wow YUM! nutella, pb, choc yes yes yes!
this weekend has included lots of crazy waitressing shifts, a farmers market, tons of samples and sales at a cheese and wine shop (! so fun), and lots of time with friends. IT’s been a good one so far. Enjoy your day with the camera tomorrow, I also LOVE planning days like that.
LOVE this post. Loving your blog lately in general. The food, the photographs, the fun. I feel happier every time I visit :)
and I love me some peanut butter and chocolate (combined or by themselves), but strangely enough I do not like nutella. weird, I know….
I think my favorite dessert will always be (vegan) ice cream
thank you for the compliments and for reading.
Best part of my weekend so far has been taking some pictures along the railways here in Kitchener, Ontario. I experimented with different settings on my camera – and that was a lot of fun!
cool! i’m in waterloo! :)
OMG. Seriously, those bars look absolutely scrumptious!! I love chocolate and peanut butter together and the heavier and denser the better. I am making those tomorrow for my boys! They will be soooo happy! I gotta say, Averie, the thing I love about your recipes is that 1) they are simple and easy to make and 2) the taste is not compromised due to #1! Thank you for your yummy posts! :-)
Best thing I ate this weekend? Some steamed broccoli combined with a delicious salad, all sprinkled with nutritional yeast! YUM!
regarding 1. yes I have a life and not all of it is spent in the kitchen :) nor is MOST people’s…so I try to keep things easy :)
and 2. yes. Why bother even making anything if it’s not stellar.
And i love how you go from steamed broc/nooch to desserts like i do!
I want all of everything you posted. PB and nutella? YES PLEASE RIGHT NOW. When I was in Thailand I ate a crepe with Nutella and banana every day for breakfast (in hindsight I called my mom complaining about how crappy I was feeling almost every week when I was over there…)
best thing I did this weekend – submitted an app to a 200 hour RYS summer intensive training :) Yay!! Best thing I ate- gluten free chocolate cupcake from Babycakes. I’m so in love with those, I make a weekly trip and splurge. Yum.
that is so awesome about your 200 RYS application! keep me posted :)
I am drooooling. WHERE DID YOU FIND THAT GORGEOUS BOWL?!
A 99 cent white bowl that is placed on top of a 1.99 plastic plate from Target. Cheapie stuff!
I love nutella and PB and chocolate — these look amazing! And your pictures look fantastic too!
thank you Holly!
and for your praise on my last post, too, that it shows that I do put time into my posts. Thank you for saying that :)
These look amazing, Averie!! YUMMM! :-D
You are seriously becoming the dessert queen of the blogosphere, I’m telling you!! Outdoing yourself with each and every recipe. If I could afford it right now, I’d be on a plane in a heartbeat to enjoy your delightful company and your badass desserts! ;)
Ummm you are soooo sweet, seriously. I heart you :)
Mmm – peanut butter and chocolate is simply a classic, adding nutella and graham? genius. these look great!
the best part of my weekend? I am finally home, if only for a short while. my standing Sunday lunch date with my dad happens tomorrow, and I’m looking forward to it.
hope you are having a great weekend, enjoy your camera date! :D
have fun with your dad!