Mix the Base: Start by grabbing a medium-sized mixing bowl. Combine 1 cup of the creamy peanut butter with the peanut butter powder and maple syrup. Mix everything together until it’s smooth and well-combined. The mixture should be thick but spreadable.

Prepare the Dish: Line a 9×5 inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides for easy removal later. Pour the peanut butter mixture into the dish and press it down evenly with a spatula. Make sure it’s nice and smooth!

Make the Chocolate Topping: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the dark chocolate chips with the remaining 2 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter. Microwave the mixture in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until it’s fully melted and smooth. This usually takes about 1-2 minutes.

Top the Bars: Pour the melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture over the peanut butter layer in the baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it evenly across the top. If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the top for that perfect sweet-salty combo.

Chill and Set: Pop the dish in the refrigerator for about an hour to let everything firm up. If you’re short on time (or just really eager to dig in), you can place it in the freezer for about 20 minutes instead.

Slice and Enjoy: Once the bars are set, lift them out of the dish using the parchment paper overhang. Place them on a cutting board and slice into 16 equal pieces. Enjoy your delicious, homemade peanut butter bars!