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
Scale
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.
