Amish-Style Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars Recipe for Dessert

These Amish Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars combine rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter into a hand-held dessert everyone will love. A thin, moist chocolate cake forms the base, a thick layer of smooth peanut butter rests in the middle, and a glossy chocolate frosting finishes the bars. If you love Reese’s, these bars capture that flavor in a bigger, softer scratch-made treat.

They’re ideal for family gatherings, potlucks, or whenever you want an indulgent, comforting dessert. Easy to prepare, make-ahead friendly, and freezable, these Amish dessert bars disappear quickly.

Why You’ll Love These Amish Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars

• Chocolate + Peanut Butter Harmony: Moist chocolate cake, creamy peanut butter, and smooth chocolate frosting in every bite.
• Hand-Held Bars: Easy to serve and eat—no utensils required.
• Make Ahead & Freezable: Store at room temperature, refrigerate, or freeze for later.
• Homemade Comfort: Inspired by Reese’s candy but made from scratch for a soft, larger bar.

How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Step 1: Prepare the Bottom Layer

1. Beat eggs and sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs until combined. Add sugar and beat until well mixed.
2. Add buttermilk and vanilla: Stir in buttermilk (or sour cream) and vanilla extract.
3. Melt butter, water, and cocoa: In a saucepan, heat the butter, water, and cocoa powder until smooth. Add this hot mixture to the egg mixture and mix thoroughly.
4. Combine dry ingredients: Add flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until combined—the batter will be thin.
5. Bake: Pour batter into a greased, lightly floured 10×15″ jelly roll pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs. Cool completely.

Step 2: Add the Middle Layer

1. Spread peanut butter: Carefully spread 1 to 1 3/4 cups (one 1-lb container) of creamy peanut butter over the cooled cake. Go slowly so you don’t pull crumbs into the peanut butter.

Step 3: Prepare the Frosting (Two Options)

Method 1 – Traditional Frosting:

1. Beat softened butter until creamy. Add cocoa powder and a pinch of salt and mix.
2. Add vanilla, milk, and powdered sugar. Scrape the bowl, then beat on high for about 2 minutes until smooth and fluffy.
3. Spread over the cooled peanut butter layer and chill until set.

Method 2 – Boiled Frosting:

1. In a saucepan, melt butter with cocoa and milk and bring to a boil.
2. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Let cool slightly, spread over the peanut butter layer while still warm, then chill to set.

Which to choose? Traditional frosting is light and fluffy and easier to spread. Boiled frosting is denser and fudgier with a deeper chocolate flavor; it sets firmer once cooled. Both are delicious—choose based on texture preference.

Reese’s Cake

This recipe bakes a moist chocolate cake in a larger 10×15″ jelly roll pan so the cake layer is thin rather than thick. That thin cake base, topped with peanut butter and chocolate frosting, yields bars that are easy to pick up and eat—so we call them bars instead of a traditional cake.

They can be labeled cookie bars, cake bars, or dessert bars—whatever you prefer. The important part is they’re portable and crowd-pleasing.

Amish Peanut Butter Bars in a 10×15″ Pan

Use a 10×15″ (jelly roll) pan for this recipe so the cake layer stays thin and even. Actual pan sizes vary slightly; a pan around 10–11″ x 15–17″ will work fine. Avoid using a standard 9×13″ if you want the thin-layer result.

Best Peanut Butter to Use

Choose a smooth, creamy peanut butter for the middle layer. Some lower-cost generic brands can be stiff and hard to spread, which may tear the cake. Brands like Jif, Skippy, or Peter Pan are known for smooth spreadability. If your peanut butter is very stiff, stir it or microwave briefly to soften before spreading.

How to Make Homemade Buttermilk

If you don’t have buttermilk, make a quick substitute: add 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to a 1/2-cup measuring cup, then fill with whole or 2% milk. Let it sit for at least five minutes to thicken and curdle, then use in the recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Recipes for Amish Dessert Bars

• Chewy Chocolate Chip Bars
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Bars
• Oat Fudge Bars
• Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
• White Chocolate Peanut Butter Blondies
• Homemade Granola Bars
• Banana Cream Cheese Cake Bars

These Amish Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars are a decadent combination of chocolate cake, creamy peanut butter, and chocolate frosting—perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself. They’re addictively good and sure to disappear fast.

If you make them, please leave a rating or comment to share how they turned out. Enjoy!

Amish Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars Recipe