Peanut Chew Bars

Peanut Chew Bars

Has anyone heard of Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews?

If you have, you probably love them as much as I do. They’re an old-school candy bar with a peanut and a molasses-like chewy center covered in chocolate. They’ve been around for quite a long time. I happen to know that because my ancestors were chewing down on them back in the earlier part of the 20th century. There are some family stories that center around these candy bars.

Like, back in the day, they were apparently very hard to actually chew. Nowadays they’re softer, and I’ve always loved them. So I had to put them into a soft, dense, thick peanut butter cookie bar! These peanut chew bars are full of the candy and peanuts, too!

Peanut Chew Bars

Another reason my parents and grandparents enjoyed these candy bars is that they’ve always been certified kosher. I might have mentioned this before, but every single recipe on this blog is 100% kosher. That’s because I keep strict kosher in my home, so I only bake with products that have the certification.

When I was a kid, so many products that are now kosher weren’t. I didn’t try my first Oreo until my 20s, when Nabisco finally made them kosher. My first taste of M & Ms was in my late teens for the same reason. And when my dad was growing up, Hershey bars weren’t kosher. So all he had by way of chocolate bars were Goldenberg Peanut Chews.

Peanut Chew Bars

One of the reasons I’m so passionate about food as an adult is that I had limited options as a child. I grew up in Indiana, where there isn’t a kosher grocery store. Treats were hard to come by. We either went to Baskin-Robbins or bought Entenmann’s. Man, I have a lot of happy associations with those rich frosted chocolate donuts that come in the blue and white box.

Peanut Chew Bars

Keeping kosher is much easier on the east coast, where there are a lot more food options. My children have no idea what it’s like to drive three hours to Chicago just to stock up on a couple of months’ worth of fresh meat. They don’t see anything special about ordering a pizza for takeout because there’s a kosher pizza place two minutes away from our house. And they absolutely don’t understand a world where nobody else is like them, where they have to miss out on soccer games or birthday parties because they take place on the Sabbath.

I’m so glad they have no idea that it’s harder in other places. Someday, they might appreciate that we live in a place where it’s easy to observe our laws and customs. But as someone who grew up in a place that didn’t have everything we needed, I take special pleasure in making sure my kids have the things I didn’t.

Peanut Chew Bars

Isn’t that what every generation wants, after all? For the next one to have it a little easier? I don’t know if we’re really succeeding in that, but I’m sure my dad was happy that my only candy bar option growing up wasn’t a Peanut Chew. Even though they’re completely delicious.

Peanut Chew Bars

So much so that when I saw them sold in unwrapped bites in the store, I had to buy them and bake with them immediately. These are the softest peanut butter bars ever, and with the chewiness of the candy bars plus the crunch of the peanuts, it’s a perfect texture combination.

If you’re a fan of chocolate bars baked right into your dessert bars, then this is a must-try. I just ate two in a row. Not sorry. And maybe if my kids are good, I’ll let them share. After all, heaven forbid they ever feel deprived of a peanut chew bar.

 

Peanut Chew Bars

Ingredients

1 egg
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 and 1/3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 bag Goldenberg Peanut Chew unwrapped bites
1/2 cup roasted salted peanuts

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350. Line an 8-inch square pan with foil and coat with cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the eggs, butter, peanut butter, vanilla, brown sugar and sugar until creamy.
  3. Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the Peanut Chews and the roasted peanuts.
  4. Pat the cookie dough into the prepared pan evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes until browned at the edges and set.
  5. Cool completely. Cut into squares.
http://justaboutbaked.com/peanut-chew-bars/

Mir

I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner. This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker. Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.

This Post Has 31 Comments

  1. Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg

    Mir – The first time that I had a peanut chew was in middle school. My teacher kept Kosher as did many of the students in my class. Although I grew up in a Christian household, I loved learning about the traditions and customs of other cultures. This post definitely brings back memories. I’d love to try making these at home. ๐Ÿ™‚
    Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg recently posted…Oatmeal Pumpkin Chip CookiesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      They’re great, aren’t they? A totally different kind of peanutty bar. Love them!

  2. Gayle@Pumpkin 'N Spice

    I think I’ve had a similar peanut chew before, though not in a long time! It reminds me of candy that I used to get on Halloween when I was little. These bars sound fantastic, Mir! Love the peanut butter flavor!
    Gayle@Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Parmesan Mushroom BitesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      They’re definitely old school, Gayle! In the best way.

  3. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy

    I have never heard of these, but then the stuff we get in the UK is lame! Anything with peanut butter in is good with me though ๐Ÿ˜€
    Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Healthy Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip by DanniiMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Really? The UK might not be my favorite travel destination then, Dannii! I need good candy wherever I go!

  4. annie@ciaochowbambina.com

    I have never heard of them and now I’m sad for never having tried them! They sound delish! These chew bars are right up my alley! Love anything with peanuts, peanut butter, brown sugar… oh my…
    annie@ciaochowbambina.com recently posted…Black Grape & Ginger GranitaMy Profile

    1. Mir

      It’s not too late, Annie! Pick up a bag!

  5. Kate @ Framed Cooks

    Well, I just LOVE these – anything that bakes a candy bar into dessert is a-ok with me! And as always, I love how creative you are! Pinning these to try as soon as I find peanut chews. ๐Ÿ™‚
    Kate @ Framed Cooks recently posted…Apple Dumplings and a Double Giveaway!My Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks for the pin, Kate! You should find them in the candy aisle, I hope…

  6. Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen

    These peanut chew bars are so new to me. Look super gorgeous and super deliocus, Mir. Gonna try it soon! ๐Ÿ™‚
    Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen recently posted…Toasted Coconut Sesame Rice Krispie and Multigrain Cheerios Dark Chocolate BarsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Anu! They’re an old candy bar, but the best!

  7. Trish - Mom On Timeout

    I have never heard of them but gosh darn I want one of THESE! They look so outrageously GOOD!! I know my boys will love them, that is, if I decide to share ๐Ÿ™‚
    Trish – Mom On Timeout recently posted…Easy Mexican Chicken and Rice CasseroleMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Your boys would get into them. I loved them as a kid! But no need to share. Moms have to be selfish sometimes!

  8. Medha @ Whisk & Shout

    Yum! These peanut bars look amazing- your PB desserts are always on point ๐Ÿ™‚ And as Bethesda has such a prominent Jewish community, I have several friends who keep strict kosher- and it’s so easy in the DC area now, which is awesome!
    Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…{Vegan} Caramel Apple Skillet Cookie!My Profile

    1. Mir

      Bethesda definitely does. I started out teaching at WJ, and had tons of Jewish students. The DC area is the best!

  9. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary

    I have never heard of Goldenbergโ€™s Peanut Chews… but I live in under a rock and my chocolate allergy keeps me ignorant to the ways of the choco-holics, unless my husband has politely informed me something chocolate covered is delicious, I have no clue. lol. Anyways, I DO know that anything in bar form rocks the dang house, AND peanut anything is dang delish! So these bars sound fabulous. They look super soft and packed full of yummy goodness! Pinned! P.S. you sound like the best mom on the planet! I already know you are one of the best bloggers on the planet, but mom too? seshhh… your making the rest of us look bad! ๐Ÿ™‚ Cheers – to Kosher products being more readily available! Xo
    Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…Perfect Beer Poached Shrimp Cocktail with RemouladeMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Believe me, Cheyanne, I am not the best mother by a long shot. I struggle every day! But all I can do is try. And as always, I need you around to boost my ego. Thanks, girl!

  10. Amanda

    I’ve never heard of these peanut chews before, but now I’m going to have to go on a mission to find them. I love discovering new candy. And these bars look delectable!
    Amanda recently posted…Honey Whole Wheat BreadMy Profile

    1. Mir

      They’re a lot of fun, Amanda. Hope you find them!

  11. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust

    I’ve never had those candies but I would love them – and in these bars, obviously. I had no idea so many products were kosher!
    Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Slow Cooker Caramel CakeMy Profile

    1. Mir

      A ton of them are now, Dorothy, but they weren’t always. These are delicious, though. Give it a shot!

  12. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

    I’ve never heard of Goldenbergโ€™s Peanut Chews but I do know Entenmannโ€™s! and I remember those frosted chocolate donuts!!! when it comes to food or convenience, our kids have it so easy these days and don’t even get me started on technology. . but yeah, I guess that’s how it goes! so we can tell them. . “back when the internet was just starting. . ” ๐Ÿ˜› love these peanut chew bars!!
    Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Banana Blondies + A Giveaway!My Profile

    1. Mir

      Those donuts are my entire childhood, in a nutshell. I have to avoid looking at them. And the technology stuff scares me, because I teach HS students and they are worried about the next generation. Everyone is so addicted!

  13. Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness

    These bars look look so tasty! Any dessert with peanut butter in it is okay in my books ๐Ÿ™‚
    Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness recently posted…Pumpkin Spice GranolaMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Mine too, Cathleen! Thanks!

  14. Manali @ CookWithManali

    they look amazing, ahh PB!!!
    Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Apple Orange Salad And A Giveaway!My Profile

    1. Mir

      PB is the best substance in the world, Manali!

  15. Danielle

    I’ve never heard of them before, but now I’m definitely going to keep an eye out for them! These look so delicious, Mir. You just can’t go wrong with peanut butter ๐Ÿ˜‰
    Danielle recently posted…Baked Pumpkin Donut HolesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      No, you definitely cannot. Thanks, Danielle!

  16. Rahul

    Hello dear.., These peanut chew bars are so new to me. Look super gorgeous and super deliocus, Mir. Gonna try it soon! ๐Ÿ™‚ Pinned ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚
    Rahul recently posted…Awesome (Happy New Year 2016) SMS Wishes Dialogues In Chinese,Arabic,Hindi and EnglishMy Profile

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