If you’re craving a dessert that’s irresistibly gooey, packed with peanut butter flavor, and studded with melty chocolate, look no further than this Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars Recipe. It brings together the perfect balance of rich, creamy peanut butter, sweet condensed milk, and chunks of peanut butter cups for a bar that melts in your mouth and satisfies every sweet tooth. Whether you’re baking for a party or just treating yourself, these bars deliver comfort and indulgence in every bite, making them a quickly beloved favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of everyday ingredients, this recipe comes together easily while layering incredible flavors and textures. Each element from the butter to the peanut butter cups plays an essential role in creating that signature gooey, chewy, and chocolaty delight.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup or 1 stick): Softened butter adds richness and helps achieve a tender crumb.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Provides sweetness and a bit of structure to the cookie dough.
- Light brown sugar (1/2 cup, packed): Brings moisture and a subtle caramel flavor that enhances the gooey texture.
- Creamy peanut butter (1/2 cup): The star ingredient for that unmistakable peanut butter taste and creamy softness.
- Large egg (1): Helps bind the ingredients together while adding richness.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds warmth and depth to amplify the flavors.
- All-purpose flour (1 1/4 cups): The base that gives the cookie bars structure without sacrificing softness.
- Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): A leavening agent that ensures a light, tender texture.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- Mini chocolate chips (1 cup): Melt into little pockets of chocolatey heaven throughout the bars.
- Chopped peanut butter cups (1 cup plus extra): Adds irresistible chunks of creamy chocolate and peanut butter throughout and on top.
- Sweetened condensed milk (1/2 cup): Creates a luscious, gooey layer that ties the bars together delightfully.
How to Make Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This ensures your cookie bars bake evenly and come out of the pan easily once cooled. It’s such a simple setup step but sets you up for success!
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key for the perfect texture; combining the fats and sugars well gives your bars a tender yet chewy bite.
Step 3: Add Peanut Butter, Egg, and Vanilla
Next, mix in the creamy peanut butter until fully incorporated, followed by the egg and vanilla extract. These ingredients add richness, moisture, and a boost of flavor that makes these bars so special.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This dry mix will give structure to your cookie bars while keeping them wonderfully soft.
Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet
Gradually add the flour mixture to your wet peanut butter mixture, stirring just until a soft dough forms. Overmixing at this stage can make the bars tough, so be gentle and patient.
Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips and Peanut Butter Cups
Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips and chopped peanut butter cups. This step is what transforms the dough into something incredibly flavorful and textured—chocolate melting and peanut butter chunks creating tasty surprises with every bite.
Step 7: Assemble in Pan
Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Then, pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over this layer—this will create that gooey, luscious middle that’s the hallmark of this recipe. Finally, crumble the remaining dough over the condensed milk and gently press it down. Top with additional chopped peanut butter cups for extra indulgence.
Step 8: Bake and Cool
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the bars turn golden brown around the edges and the center is just set. The smell coming from your oven will be irresistible! Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing to ensure neat, gooey bars that hold their shape.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate over the cooled bars takes their presentation up a notch. You could also sprinkle some crushed peanut butter cups or a pinch of flaky sea salt for contrast that highlights the sweetness and richness.
Side Dishes
These bars are fantastic on their own, but pairing them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream adds a delightful creaminess that complements the peanut butter and chocolate. Fresh berries also balance the richness with a touch of tartness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, cut these bars into bite-size squares and serve on a dessert platter for parties. You can also sandwich two bars with ice cream in the middle for an epic dessert sandwich. Wrapping individual bars as gifts with a pretty ribbon never fails to impress peanut butter lovers!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps them soft and moist without drying out, so each bite stays just as delightful as the first.
Freezing
If you want to keep these bars longer, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Just thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
Reheating
For a warm, gooey treat, gently reheat individual bars in the microwave for about 15 seconds. The peanut butter and chocolate will soften and the bars will taste freshly baked, perfect for satisfying late-night cravings.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter will add an extra bit of texture and nutty flavor, making the bars even more interesting to bite into.
What other chocolate can I use besides peanut butter cups?
Feel free to swap in chopped chocolate bars, chocolate chunks, or your favorite chocolate chips. Dark, milk, or even white chocolate all work well with peanut butter.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder for structure.
Is sweetened condensed milk necessary?
The sweetened condensed milk is what gives the bars their gooey, luscious middle layer. Leaving it out changes the texture, so it’s highly recommended for the full effect.
How do I get clean slices when cutting the bars?
For perfect slices, chill the bars in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before cutting. This firms them up and prevents crumbly edges.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about a dessert that’s equal parts peanut butter, chocolate, and gooey indulgence, and this Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars Recipe hits every note perfectly. It’s simple to make yet impressive enough to wow family, friends, or yourself. So grab your ingredients, get baking, and enjoy the warm comfort of these bars that feel like a big peanut butter hug in every bite!
Print
Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars are a decadent and irresistible dessert combining creamy peanut butter, melted sweetened condensed milk, and chunks of chocolate peanut butter cups. Baked until golden and gooey in the center, they offer a perfect balance of chewy cookie texture and rich chocolatey flavor ideal for any peanut butter lover.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped peanut butter cups (plus more for topping)
Additional
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring proper aeration.
- Add Peanut Butter, Egg, and Vanilla: Beat in the creamy peanut butter, followed by the large egg and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until fully combined and smooth.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms without overmixing to keep the bars tender.
- Fold in Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cups: Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips and chopped peanut butter cups, incorporating the chunks evenly throughout the dough.
- Layer Dough and Sweetened Condensed Milk: Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Pour the sweetened condensed milk over this dough layer evenly, then crumble the remaining dough on top.
- Top and Press: Gently press the crumbled dough down and sprinkle extra chopped peanut butter cups over the top to add texture and flavor bursts.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the bars are golden brown around the edges and the center is just set to maintain gooeyness.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing into 12 bars. For cleaner slices, chill for 30 minutes in the refrigerator before cutting.
Notes
- For cleaner, neater slices, chill the bars in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before cutting.
- You can use either mini or regular-sized peanut butter cups based on your preference or what you have available.
