If you adore the combination of peanut butter and chocolate in a decadent, melt-in-your-mouth treat, then you’re in for a real delight with this Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars Recipe. These bars bring together a simple cake mix base with luscious layers of creamy peanut butter, sweetened condensed milk, and a generous topping of chocolate chips and chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups, creating a symphony of gooey textures and classic flavors that’s impossible to resist. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or treating yourself, these bars promise a satisfying indulgence that’s both nostalgic and utterly scrumptious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars Recipe lies in the simplicity and quality of each ingredient, each playing a crucial role in building that perfect gooey texture and rich flavor profile. With just a handful of pantry staples and a few sweet mix-ins, you can whip up this dessert without any fuss.
- Yellow cake mix: The backbone of your bars, providing a soft, tender crumb and a familiar cakey flavor.
- Large egg: Helps bind the ingredients together and adds moisture.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Adds richness and helps create a slightly crispy base.
- Creamy peanut butter: Brings that irresistible, smooth peanut flavor that complements the chocolate perfectly.
- Sweetened condensed milk (14 oz): The secret to gooey sweetness, creating a luscious, melted layer throughout the bars.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Provide melty chocolate pockets that balance out the peanut butter’s savory-sweetness.
- Chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups: Adds crunchy, chocolatey chunks packed with peanut butter goodness, elevating the texture and flavor.
How to Make Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on the sides. This makes it super easy to lift out the bars later. Lightly grease the paper or foil to prevent sticking, setting you up for flawless removal and cleanup.
Step 2: Make the Cake Mix Base
In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix with the melted butter and large egg. Stir until everything is perfectly blended. The batter will be thick and moist—this forms the delicious base layer. Press this mixture evenly into the prepared pan; this step sets the stage for the layers to come, so be sure to create an even surface.
Step 3: Spread the Peanut Butter Layer
Drop spoonfuls of creamy peanut butter all over the cake mix base. Don’t worry about perfection here because you’ll gently spread it out with a spatula to cover the entire surface evenly. The peanut butter adds that classic, creamy dimension which contrasts beautifully with the cakey bottom.
Step 4: Add the Gooey Sweetened Condensed Milk
Now pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the peanut butter layer. This ingredient is the hero that brings the gooey texture to the bars, making every bite decadently moist and sweet. Spread it out slightly to cover the peanut butter layer but don’t mix them together—let the layers stay gorgeous and distinct.
Step 5: Top with Chocolate and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips over the entire surface, followed by a generous layer of chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups. This crunchy, chocolatey topping adds a delightful texture and amps up the flavor with classic peanut butter cup goodness.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges turn a nice golden color and the center feels set but still soft. The smell alone is enough to make you eager to dive in!
Step 7: Cool and Cut
Once baked, allow the bars to cool completely in the pan placed on a wire rack. Cooling is essential to let the gooey layers firm up enough to cut cleanly. When cool, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab from the pan and cut into squares. Prepare for some serious compliments.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars Recipe
Garnishes
For a pretty presentation and an extra pop of flavor, try dusting your bars with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate. You can also add a few whole mini peanut butter cups on top for that wow factor and extra peanut butter punch.
Side Dishes
These bars are rich, so pairing them with something light like fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream complements their sweetness perfectly. A cold glass of milk is a classic match that rounds out the experience beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Think beyond simple squares! Cut them into fun shapes with cookie cutters for parties or gift them in decorative boxes with parchment paper. You can even layer them into parfait glasses with whipped cream and crushed peanuts for a fancy dessert twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate them if your kitchen tends to be warm. This helps maintain that gooey texture without drying out the bars.
Freezing
These bars freeze wonderfully! Wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months, making them a perfect make-ahead treat for cravings any time.
Reheating
To enjoy them warm, simply microwave individual bars for about 15-20 seconds or until heated through. Warming brings back that gooey decadence we all love about the Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars Recipe—like a little bite of heaven.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter will add a delightful texture with small nut pieces, giving each bite an extra bit of crunch alongside the gooey layers.
Do I have to use yellow cake mix?
Yellow cake mix is preferred for its flavor and texture, but you can experiment with white cake mix or even spice cake mix for unique twists. Just keep in mind it may slightly change the overall flavor profile.
Can I substitute the sweetened condensed milk?
Sweetened condensed milk is key to that gooey richness, so substitutions aren’t recommended if you want the authentic texture. However, some try using evaporated milk with added sugar, but results may vary.
How do I prevent the bars from sticking to the pan?
Using parchment paper or foil with an overhang and lightly greasing it ensures you can effortlessly lift the bars out once cooled without any sticking issues.
Can I add nuts or other toppings?
Definitely! Chopped peanuts, pretzels, or even sea salt sprinkled on top before baking can elevate the flavor and add a pleasing crunch that complements the gooey sweetness beautifully.
Final Thoughts
If you’re on the hunt for a dessert that captures the essence of peanut butter and chocolate in a wonderfully gooey and indulgent bar, this Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars Recipe is a must-try. It’s effortless to make, delightfully rich, and guaranteed to become an instant favorite. Trust me, once you bake these bars, you’ll be reaching for them again and again to share with friends and family—or just to keep all to yourself!
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Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars are a decadent treat featuring a buttery yellow cake base layered with creamy peanut butter, sweetened condensed milk, and topped with rich semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups. Baked to golden perfection, these bars offer a gooey, indulgent dessert perfect for peanut butter and chocolate lovers.
Ingredients
Base Layer
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Peanut Butter Layer
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
Topping
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving an overhang for easy removal, and lightly grease the lining.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, mix together the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and egg until fully combined. Press this dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the base layer.
- Add Peanut Butter Layer: Drop spoonfuls of creamy peanut butter over the dough. Use a spatula to gently spread the peanut butter covering the entire surface evenly.
- Add Sweetened Condensed Milk: Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the peanut butter layer to create a gooey texture.
- Top with Chocolate and Reese’s: Sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups evenly over the top of the sweetened condensed milk layer.
- Bake: Place the baking pan in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. The edges should turn golden brown, and the center should be set but still gooey.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang and cut into squares to serve.
Notes
- For easier cleanup and removal, be sure to use parchment paper or foil with an overhang.
- Use creamy peanut butter for smooth spreading and even texture.
- If you prefer a less sweet bar, reduce the amount of sweetened condensed milk slightly.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- These bars can be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw before serving.
