Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars Recipe for Sweet Lovers

Chocolate and peanut butter create magic in these irresistible gooey cookie bars that’ll make you weak at the knees.

Sweet memories of childhood treats dance through every decadent bite.

Layers of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter melt together in a symphony of pure indulgence.

Soft, chewy cookie dough becomes the perfect canvas for these spectacular bars.

Dense, fudgy textures promise an experience that goes beyond ordinary desserts.

Unexpected bursts of flavor will have everyone begging you for the secret recipe.

Each square delivers a comforting blend of nostalgia and pure deliciousness.

You won’t be able to resist cutting just one more piece.

Why Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Bars Are So Gooey Good

• These bars require minimal baking skills, making them perfect for novice bakers who want to impress without complex techniques.
• Preparation takes less than 30 minutes, offering a speedy dessert solution for busy parents craving something sweet and satisfying.
• Combining classic peanut butter cups with gooey cookie texture creates an irresistible dessert that appeals to both kids and adults at gatherings, potlucks, and casual celebrations.
• Using parchment paper ensures easy removal and simple cleaning, reducing post-baking kitchen mess and saving precious time for enjoying the delicious result.

What You’ll Need for These Loaded Cookie Bars

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the foundational structure for the cookie bars.
• Brown Sugar: Adds rich caramel-like sweetness and moisture to the base.
• Granulated Sugar: Helps create a crisp exterior and balanced sweetness.
• Unsalted Butter: Delivers rich flavor and helps bind the ingredients together.

• Peanut Butter Cups: Signature chocolate and peanut butter pieces that create delicious pockets of flavor.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Adds extra chocolate depth and melty texture throughout the bars.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: Creates a smooth, rich peanut flavor and helps bind the mixture.

• Large Eggs: Helps bind the ingredients and provides structure to the cookie bars.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet undertones.
• Baking Soda: Helps the bars rise and creates a soft, tender texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavors in the recipe.

How to Bake Soft Bars with Peanut Butter Cup Layers

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Station

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a generous coating of cooking spray. Line the pan with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over the sides for effortless bar removal later.

Step 2: Create the Cookie Base

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Softened butter
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Baking soda
• Salt

Mix everything until you get a smooth, creamy cookie dough that looks absolutely irresistible.

Step 3: Layer the Deliciousness

Press about two-thirds of the cookie dough into the prepared baking dish, creating an even base layer. This will be the foundation of your amazing bars.

Step 4: Scatter Peanut Butter Cups

Chop up peanut butter cups into chunky pieces. Sprinkle these delectable chocolate-peanut butter morsels generously across the cookie dough base.

Step 5: Add the Topping

Crumble the remaining cookie dough over the peanut butter cup pieces, creating a rustic, uneven top that will look gorgeous when baked.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the center looks slightly gooey.

Step 7: Cool and Slice

Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire batch out. Slice into squares and watch everyone’s eyes light up with pure joy.

Tips for Thick, Chewy, and Chocolaty Results

• Prevent Sticking Smartly: Use parchment paper with overhanging edges for effortless bar removal and clean cutting.
• Control Chocolate Melt Perfectly: Chop peanut butter cups into chunks before adding to prevent complete melting during baking.
• Achieve Gooey Texture: Slightly underbake the bars to maintain a soft, moist center that delivers rich, decadent flavor.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Swap regular peanut butter cups with dairy-free or vegan alternatives for allergen-friendly versions.
• Store for Maximum Freshness: Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for extended shelf life.

Best Way to Store Cookie Bars with Toppings

• Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover with plastic wrap or place in a sealed container to prevent drying out.
• Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months for later enjoyment.
• Remove frozen bars from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving. Alternatively, microwave for 10-15 seconds for a warm, gooey treat.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed bars in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore their soft, melty texture. Avoid overheating to prevent the chocolate from burning.

What Drinks Work with These Gooey Treats

• Indulge in a rich, dark roast coffee that complements the intense chocolate and peanut butter flavors, cutting through the sweetness with its bold, robust profile.
• Enjoy a cold glass of whole milk, which perfectly balances the rich, gooey texture of the cookie bars and provides a creamy counterpoint to the decadent dessert.
• Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, creating a classic combination that amplifies the dessert's warmth and adds a cool, smooth contrast.
• Pair with a sweet port wine or chocolate liqueur, which echoes the chocolate notes and adds an elegant, sophisticated touch to this indulgent treat.

Ways to Switch Up the Filling in Cookie Bars

• Gluten-Free Delight: Swap regular flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version. Use gluten-free peanut butter cups to ensure complete gluten elimination.
• Vegan Chocolate Dream: Replace eggs with mashed banana or flax eggs. Select dairy-free chocolate peanut butter cups and use plant-based butter alternative for a compassionate treat.
• Low-Sugar Option: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia. Choose dark chocolate peanut butter cups with lower sugar content to reduce overall sweetness while maintaining rich flavor.
• Protein Power Bar: Add a scoop of vanilla or chocolate protein powder to the cookie base. Select protein-enriched peanut butter cups for an extra muscle-building boost.

Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Indulgent Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars blend creamy chocolate and nutty peanut butter into a irresistible dessert. Layers of rich flavors and gooey texture promise sweet satisfaction for chocolate and cookie enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

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Base Ingredients:

• 3 cups (375 grams / 13.2 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (350 grams / 12.3 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup (225 grams / 8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 grams / 7 ounces) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (200 grams / 7 ounces) brown sugar, packed

Wet Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk

Filling and Topping Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 grams / 8.5 ounces) creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup (115 grams / 4 ounces) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 ½ cups (180 grams / 6.3 ounces) powdered sugar
• 1 ½ cups (225 grams / 7.9 ounces) mini peanut butter cups, chopped
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking vessel by thoroughly coating a 9×13-inch dish with non-stick spray and carefully lining it with parchment paper, ensuring smooth edges for effortless bar extraction.
2. Craft the chocolate cookie foundation by blending dry ingredients until uniformly combined, creating a rich, dark base that will support the decadent layers.
3. Incorporate softened butter and sugars, mixing until the mixture transforms into a creamy, light texture that promises exceptional moisture and depth of flavor.
4. Integrate eggs and vanilla, whisking vigorously to create a silky emulsion that binds the cookie dough components and enhances overall structural integrity.
5. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently to prevent overworking the dough, which could result in tough bars.
6. Press approximately two-thirds of the prepared cookie dough into the prepared baking dish, creating an even, compact layer that will serve as the sturdy foundation.
7. Strategically arrange peanut butter cups across the initial dough layer, distributing them evenly to guarantee a delightful chocolate-peanut butter surprise in every bite.
8. Dollop the remaining cookie dough atop the peanut butter cups, using gentle pressing and spreading techniques to create a rustic, imperfect top layer.
9. Slide the assembled bars into the preheated oven, baking until the edges turn golden brown and the center maintains a subtle jiggle, indicating perfect gooey consistency.
10. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely within the pan, permitting the layers to set and intensify their rich, indulgent flavors.
11. Once cooled, lift the bars from the dish using the parchment paper edges, slice into precise squares, and serve at room temperature for maximum enjoyment.

Notes

• Swap standard peanut butter for almond or sunflower seed butter to accommodate nut allergies and create a similar rich, creamy texture.
• Use gluten-free graham cracker crumbs or oat-based alternatives to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Chill the bars completely before cutting to ensure clean, neat slices and prevent the gooey filling from spreading too much during serving.
• For a lower-sugar version, select dark chocolate peanut butter cups and reduce the amount of added sugar in the recipe by 25%.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg