If you have a seriously sweet tooth and a love for peanut butter and chocolate, you are in for a treat with the Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars Recipe. These bars bring together the richness of creamy peanut butter, the warmth of brown sugar, and the irresistible melty centers packed with mini peanut butter cups and chocolate chips. Every bite delivers a delightful balance of gooey texture and crumbly cookie, making these bars an instant favorite whenever you want a dessert that feels like a warm hug. Trust me, once you make these bars, they’ll have a permanent spot in your recipe collection.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully simple yet crucial for creating the perfect balance of flavor and texture in your Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars Recipe. Each component serves a unique purpose, whether it’s giving the bars their structure, chewiness, or that luscious gooey center.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and a tender crumb to your bars.
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter: Brings that classic peanut butter flavor and creamy texture.
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed): Provides sweetness with a hint of molasses and keeps bars moist.
- 1 large egg: Binds all ingredients together for structure.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the overall depth of flavor.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: The base that holds everything in place.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Gives a slight lift and helps with texture.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and brightens flavors.
- 1 cup mini peanut butter cups (halved): Adds pockets of melty peanut butter chocolate surprise throughout.
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips: Brings rich chocolate contrast to each bar.
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk: Creates that signature gooey, creamy layer.
How to Make Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish and Preheat Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides — this little trick makes it so much easier to lift out your bars once they cool without any crumbling. This sets the stage for perfect, clean bars later on.
Step 2: Cream Butter, Peanut Butter, and Brown Sugar
In a large bowl, blend together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, and packed brown sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This step is where magic begins, as properly creamed butter and sugar give these cookie bars their tender texture and sweet depth.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Beat in one large egg and the vanilla extract until everything is fully combined and smooth. These ingredients help to bind the dough and infuse that classic warm vanilla note throughout the bars.
Step 4: Whisk Dry Ingredients and Combine
In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add this dry mix into the wet ingredients, stirring gently but thoroughly until a soft dough forms. This combination ensures your bars have just the right chewiness without feeling dense.
Step 5: Fold in Half of the Peanut Butter Cups and Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in half of the halved mini peanut butter cups and semisweet chocolate chips. These decadent little surprises spread throughout the dough will give your bars pockets of chocolate-nutty yumminess in every bite.
Step 6: Layer the Dough and Add the Gooey Middle
Press about two-thirds of the dough firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan. Then, drizzle the sweetened condensed milk evenly over this dough layer — this is the secret ingredient that transforms these cookie bars into glorious gooey delights.
Step 7: Add Remaining Peanut Butter Cups, Chocolate Chips, and Crumble the Top
Sprinkle the rest of the peanut butter cups and chocolate chips over the condensed milk layer. Finally, crumble the remaining dough loosely over the top, leaving some areas uncovered so the gooey middle peeks through, creating that perfect texture contrast.
Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake your bars for 25 to 30 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the center is mostly set but still soft to the touch. Let them cool completely in the pan before slicing for the best gooey texture that holds together beautifully.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
To add a touch of elegance or extra flair, dust your peanut butter bar tops lightly with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate. A sprinkle of chopped roasted peanuts works wonders too, giving extra crunch and highlighting those peanut flavors.
Side Dishes
These bars are wonderfully rich on their own but pairing them with a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream ups the indulgence factor instantly. Fresh berries on the side add a pleasant tartness that contrasts beautifully with all the chocolate and peanut butter goodness.
Creative Ways to Present
Make your dessert party-ready by plating these bars on a pretty platter with colorful sprinkles scattered around or stacking them with parchment paper between layers to gift as a homemade treat. Serving warm with a side of cold milk always brings out smiles!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, keep your peanut butter cup gooey cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to retain that soft, chewy texture. Avoid refrigeration unless your kitchen is very warm, as it can firm up the bars and mute their gooey charm.
Freezing
These cookie bars freeze beautifully! Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container or bag. They keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for a fresh-out-of-the-oven feel the next day.
Reheating
Warm frozen or refrigerated bars in the microwave for about 15 seconds or until just heated through. This softens them right back up and revives that irresistible gooey texture, making every bite melt-in-your-mouth perfect.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Yes, you can swap creamy for crunchy peanut butter, which will add some extra texture to the bars. Just keep in mind it may change the overall smoothness but will still be delicious and peanut-packed.
What if I don’t have mini peanut butter cups?
No worries! You can chop regular-size peanut butter cups into smaller pieces or even use Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips. The key is having those melty peanut butter pockets throughout.
Can these bars be made gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. This might slightly alter texture but will keep your bars tasty and safe for gluten-sensitive friends.
How long do these bars stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these bars stay fresh and chewy for about 3 days. Beyond that, they’re still good but might lose some of that gooey appeal.
Can I make these bars vegan?
To make a vegan version, use dairy-free butter, a flax or chia egg substitute, and ensure your peanut butter cups and chocolate chips are vegan-friendly. It’s a bit of a swap challenge but totally doable!
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars Recipe enough for anyone who loves the dreamy combo of chocolate and peanut butter in a dessert that’s both soft and gooey. Whether it’s for a casual treat or a special occasion, these bars never disappoint. Give them a try and watch them vanish quickly — trust me, you’ll be craving them again before you know it!
Print
Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars combine the rich flavors of creamy peanut butter and chocolate in a delightfully soft and gooey treat. Perfectly baked with a luscious layer of sweetened condensed milk and studded with mini peanut butter cups and chocolate chips, these bars are an irresistible dessert that’s easy to make and sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Mix-ins and Topping
- 1 cup mini peanut butter cups, halved
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on the sides for easy removal of the bars.
- Cream Butter, Peanut Butter, and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, and packed brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and seasoning.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms, avoiding overmixing which can lead to toughness.
- Add Peanut Butter Cups and Chocolate Chips: Fold in half of the halved mini peanut butter cups and half of the chocolate chips gently to incorporate without breaking them down.
- Layer Dough and Sweetened Condensed Milk: Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a firm base. Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk evenly over this dough layer, spreading it gently with the back of a spoon to cover the surface.
- Add Remaining Toppings and Crumble Dough: Sprinkle the remaining mini peanut butter cups and chocolate chips over the sweetened condensed milk layer. Crumble the remaining one-third of dough over the entire surface, leaving some parts exposed to maintain a gooey texture once baked.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set but still slightly soft, ensuring a gooey consistency inside.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan; this helps them set and makes slicing easier. For cleaner slices, chill the bars in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before cutting into 16 bars.
Notes
- For cleaner slices, chill the bars in the fridge for 30 minutes before cutting.
- You can substitute mini peanut butter cups with chopped full-size peanut butter cups if preferred.
