Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars Recipe
If you’re a fan of all things chocolate and peanut butter, you’re about to discover your new dessert obsession: Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars. Imagine a perfectly soft, golden crust layered with gooey, melty chocolate chips and mini peanut butter cups, all tied together with a dreamy sweetened condensed milk center. Whether you’re baking for a family get-together or simply want to treat yourself on a cozy night in, these bars will win over even the pickiest of dessert lovers with their irresistible blend of flavors and textures.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars call for just a handful of pantry-friendly ingredients, but each one plays an important role in building layers of flavor, creating a luscious texture, or bringing that iconic sweetness you crave. Trust me, don’t skip or swap—this magical combination is what makes every bite unforgettable.
- Yellow cake mix: The shortcut to a tender, sweet base and an easy way to give your bars a consistent crumb every time.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Adds rich, buttery flavor and helps the dough come together with a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Creamy peanut butter: Infuses every bite with that classic salty-sweet peanutty goodness you love.
- Large eggs: One for binding the dough, one for making the decadent, gooey filling—it’s all about balance!
- Sweetened condensed milk: The secret weapon for that irresistible, gooey center that defines this treat.
- Mini peanut butter cups (halved): These little bites nestle into the bars, giving bursts of peanut butter chocolate magic.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Add pockets of melty chocolate that contrast perfectly with the creamy peanut butter.
- Peanut butter chips: Double down on peanut flavor and up the nostalgia factor in every mouthful.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and gives a warm, bakery-style aroma to the finished bars.
How to Make Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper for easy lifting later, or simply grease it lightly with butter or nonstick spray. This simple step makes cleanup a breeze—plus, your Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars will pop right out for perfect squares every time!
Step 2: Make the Dough Layer
In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, creamy peanut butter, and one egg. Stir everything together until a thick, crumbly dough comes together. This mixture will form the luscious base—and a little for the top—of your bars, packing every bite with buttery, peanutty goodness.
Step 3: Press the Dough into the Pan
Using clean hands or the back of a spoon, press about two-thirds of the dough you just mixed into the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Do your best to press it evenly, reaching all the edges and corners. This sturdy base will support the gooey filling and make bar-slicing much easier later on.
Step 4: Mix the Gooey Filling
In a separate bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, remaining egg, and vanilla extract until completely smooth and velvety. Now, gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and halved mini peanut butter cups. Every stir is like boosting the fun factor in your Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars!
Step 5: Layer and Top
Pour the gooey filling mixture right over the dough layer in your dish. Don’t worry if it looks super thick—it will spread as it bakes. Take that last third of dough you reserved and drop it by small spoonfuls all over the surface; this creates fantastic buttery pockets in every slice.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Slide the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. When the top is golden and the center is just set (it’ll still look a bit wobbly), you’re good to go. Let the bars cool completely in the pan—this patience pays off with extra gooey, clean-cut squares.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars
Garnishes
Go classic with a light dusting of powdered sugar, or drizzle a little extra melted chocolate and a sprinkle of crushed peanut butter cups on top for a show-stopping finish. If you’d like an extra pop of crunch, a handful of chopped roasted peanuts creates a beautiful and tasty garnish for your Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars.
Side Dishes
For the ultimate treat, serve your bars slightly warmed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a tall glass of cold milk. If you’re planning a dessert platter, these bars love to hang out with fresh strawberries, chocolate-dipped pretzels, or even a few salty potato chips for contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars into edible gifts by wrapping individual squares in parchment and tying them with baker’s twine. Layer them on a pretty cake stand for a party, or serve mini squares on skewers with seasonal fruit for easy finger food. These bars look just as tempting stacked on a rustic wooden board for movie night or midnight snacking!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want extra longevity or a firmer texture, popping them in the fridge keeps them fresh for up to a week and makes for delightfully chewy bites.
Freezing
These bars freeze like a dream! Place cooled, cut bars in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a heavy-duty freezer bag. They’re good for up to three months and only need about 20 minutes to thaw at room temp—perfect for snack emergencies or surprise guests.
Reheating
If you like your Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars ooey-gooey and warm, just pop one in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds. The chocolate and peanut butter will get melty and luscious, creating that fresh-from-the-oven vibe any day of the week.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Dessert
Absolutely! While yellow cake mix gives a lovely classic flavor, white or even chocolate cake mix transforms these Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars into something even more decadent. Just know it might shift the overall sweetness or chocolate intensity.
What’s the best way to cut clean squares?
Make sure the bars are fully cooled—even chilled, if you can wait! Use a sharp knife, wiping it clean between each cut, for those bakery-worthy, picture-perfect squares every time.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Definitely. Chopped peanuts, walnuts, or even pretzel pieces make amazing crunchy mix-ins or toppings. Just don’t go too wild—let the star flavors of Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars shine through!
Are these bars gluten-free?
As written, this recipe uses traditional cake mix with gluten. However, if you swap in your favorite gluten-free yellow cake mix, these bars adapt beautifully for a gluten-free version.
Can I make Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars ahead for a party?
Yes! These bars are perfect for making in advance. In fact, they slice even better after a day in the fridge, so you’re always party-ready with a crowd-pleasing dessert.
Final Thoughts
Once you’ve baked up a batch of these irresistible Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars, you’ll see why they become a family favorite at the very first bite. Whether you’re sharing them with friends or sneaking a secret square for yourself, these treats promise gooey, chocolatey, peanut buttery happiness every single time. Give them a try—you might just find yourself making them again and again!
Print
Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the decadent delight of Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars. These irresistible bars feature a buttery cake base filled with a gooey mixture of sweetened condensed milk, chocolate and peanut butter chips, and mini peanut butter cups. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth!
Ingredients
Cake Base:
- 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 ounces)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
Gooey Filling:
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mini peanut butter cups, halved
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup peanut butter chips
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
- Mix Cake Base: In a large bowl, combine cake mix, melted butter, peanut butter, and 1 egg. Mix until a dough forms. Press two-thirds into the pan.
- Prepare Gooey Filling: In another bowl, mix condensed milk, 1 egg, and vanilla. Add chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and peanut butter cups. Pour over base.
- Bake and Cool: Drop remaining cake dough over the top. Bake for 25–30 minutes until set. Cool completely before cutting into squares.
Notes
- Chill bars before slicing for neat cuts.
- For added crunch, sprinkle chopped peanuts over the filling.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate for lasting freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
