Chewy Peanut Bars Recipe (With Sweetened Condensed Milk)
A simple chewy peanut bars recipe with a crumbly baked base and a quick topping made with sweetened condensed milk and coconut. You’ll mix the dry ingredients, cut in the fats, press the crust, spread the topping, then cool and slice for easy dessert bars.
Ingredients
1. For the crust
2. For the topping
Step-by-Step Method
Preheat and prep the pan
Heat the oven to 350°F (175–180°C). Grease a square baking pan and line the bottom with parchment, leaving a little overhang for easy lifting.
Mix the dry ingredients
In a bowl, stir together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Break up any brown sugar lumps so the crust bakes evenly.
Cut in the fats
Add the cold butter and margarine. Use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to work them in until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs; try not to melt the fat.
Press in the crust
Pour the crumb mixture into the pan and press it down firmly into an even layer. A flat-bottomed glass helps you pack it tightly.
Make the topping
In a second bowl, lightly whisk the eggs. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk, then fold in the coconut flakes and chopped peanuts.
Bake
Spread the topping evenly over the crust. Bake for 25 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the center looks set.
Cool and slice
Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a rack so they firm up. Lift out using the parchment and cut into squares; wiping the knife with warm water helps clean slices.