If you’re a fan of chocolate and peanut butter, get ready to fall head over heels for Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars. These decadently soft bars are brimming with ooey-gooey layers of buttery dough, melty pockets of peanut butter cups, and a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk that ties everything together like a dream. Imagine all the flavors you love in a peanut butter cup, now multiplied into a rich, chewy, and delightfully messy dessert bar that’s nearly impossible to resist sharing (but you might not want to share at all!).
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars is in their simplicity. Each ingredient serves a purpose, balancing flavors and textures for a truly unforgettable treat. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters for the magic.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Gives the dough its rich, tender crumb and is the base for all that luscious flavor.
- Creamy peanut butter (1/2 cup): The star player, lending its nutty, salty sweetness and that signature melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Packed brown sugar (1 cup): Adds a deep caramel-like sweetness and helps keep the bars irresistibly moist.
- Large egg (1): Binds everything together so the bars can hold up to all the gooey goodness.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Just a splash for rounding out the flavors with a warm, cozy note.
- All-purpose flour (1 1/4 cups): The structure! Holds the bars in shape while allowing for softness in the middle.
- Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Gives the bars a slight lift, so they don’t end up too dense.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances every other flavor in the mix.
- Chopped peanut butter cups (1 1/2 cups + extra for topping): For plenty of chunkiness and dreamy chocolate-peanut butter swirls throughout every bite.
- Sweetened condensed milk (1/2 cup): The goo in gooey—this gets drizzled and baked in for a caramelized, creamy layer right in the center.
How to Make Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting a little hang over the sides. This little trick makes it extra easy to lift out your Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars once they’re baked and cooled—no fuss, no sticking!
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, and brown sugar until the mixture turns light, fluffy, and almost irresistible to sneak a spoonful. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until it’s all just combined. This creamy mixture forms the delicious backbone of your bars.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Take a quick sniff—doesn’t flour always smell like anticipation? Gently add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until everything comes together into a soft dough. Be careful not to overmix to keep the bars tender.
Step 4: Add the Peanut Butter Cups
Fold in 1 cup of your chopped peanut butter cups, reserving the rest for sprinkling on top. Each chunk is a promise of gooey, chocolatey bites tucked throughout the finished bars. It’s already looking so tempting!
Step 5: Layer and Build the Bars
Press about two-thirds of your dough into the bottom of the prepared pan, smoothing it into an even layer. Next, drizzle the sweetened condensed milk evenly over this layer—don’t worry if it looks messy, it bakes into the most glorious, gooey center! Scatter the remaining peanut butter cups across the top, then crumble the rest of the dough over everything and press down gently so each layer cozies up together.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the edges look golden and set, but the very center still has a little wobble. This is the sweet spot for gooey bars! Let them cool completely in the pan—patience is key here for those signature clean, decadent slices.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars
Garnishes
For a little extra flair, sprinkle the bars with a few chopped peanut butter cups right after baking while they’re still warm. A drizzle of melted chocolate or a dusting of powdered sugar adds a bakery-style flourish. If you want to go over the top, a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream will make your Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars unforgettably indulgent.
Side Dishes
These bars are quite rich all on their own, but they pair delightfully with a tall glass of ice-cold milk, a good cup of coffee, or even a creamy latte. For a special dessert platter, serve them alongside seasonal fruit like juicy strawberries or a handful of salty pretzels to cut through the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars into small squares for a party platter, or go big and serve generous rectangles for an after-dinner treat. Stack them up and tie with twine as gourmet edible gifts, or wrap each bar individually for an extra-special lunchbox surprise. Serve warm with ice cream for a show-stopping dessert everyone will rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any bars left (they do tend to disappear quickly!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. They’ll stay soft and gooey, making for an irresistible quick treat any time cravings strike. For optimal freshness, a layer of parchment between bars helps keep them perfectly separate.
Freezing
Your Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars freeze beautifully. Wrap them well in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. They’ll keep well for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature, and they’ll taste just-baked all over again.
Reheating
Want that fresh-baked warmth? Pop a bar into the microwave for 10–15 seconds and it will turn gooey and fragrant, as if it just came out of the oven. If you’re reheating several bars, a couple of minutes in a 300°F oven works wonders, too.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter adds a bit of texture and nutty bite. The bars might be slightly more crumbly, but they’ll be just as delicious for anyone who loves a little extra crunch.
What’s the best way to slice Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars for clean edges?
For those perfectly squared edges, chill the bars in the refrigerator for an hour or two after they’ve cooled to room temperature. Use a sharp knife, and wipe it clean between cuts. This makes the layers neat and the pieces Instagram-worthy.
Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd?
Definitely! Just double every ingredient and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the bake time, keeping an eye out for the classic golden edges and soft, gooey center.
Are there any nut-free options for this recipe?
Though Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars are all about that iconic peanut butter cup flavor, you can swap sunbutter for peanut butter and use nut-free chocolate candies to create an allergy-friendly version with a similar whimsical gooey vibe.
Can I make these bars ahead for a party?
Yes! These bars are super party-friendly. You can bake them a day or two in advance and store them in an airtight container. In fact, the flavor deepens and the texture gets even gooier after a little rest—so feel free to prep ahead without worry!
Final Thoughts
Once you make Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars, you’ll understand why they’re a crowd favorite at every gathering and a regularly requested treat at home. With layers of melty chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and caramelized goodness, it’s a recipe meant to be shared, savored, and made again and again. So gather your favorite people (or just your comfiest pajamas), whip up a batch, and dive into sweet, gooey bliss!
Print
Peanut Butter Cup Gooey 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 Bars are a delightful treat that combines the richness of peanut butter with the sweetness of chopped peanut butter cups and condensed milk. A gooey, indulgent dessert perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Bars:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups chopped peanut butter cups (plus extra for topping)
For Topping:
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, peanut butter, and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, mix until combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to wet mixture and mix until combined.
- Add Peanut Butter Cups: Fold in 1 cup of chopped peanut butter cups.
- Layer and Bake: Press 2/3 of the dough into the pan, drizzle condensed milk, sprinkle remaining peanut butter cups, crumble remaining dough on top. Press down gently. Bake for 25–30 minutes.
- Cool and Slice: Let it cool completely before slicing into bars.
Notes
- Chill before slicing for clean edges.
- You can use mini peanut butter cups or chop full-size ones.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 29 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
