Indulge in the ultimate treat with these Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars, a rich and decadent dessert that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Combining the comforting flavors of yellow cake mix with creamy peanut butter, sweetened condensed milk, and loads of Reese’s peanut butter cups, this dessert is a peanut butter lover’s dream. These gooey bars are not only incredibly delicious but also incredibly easy to make, making them perfect for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
What makes these Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars so special is the perfect balance of creamy peanut butter, rich chocolate, and sweet cake mix. The base layer made from cake mix forms the perfect soft, chewy crust, while the peanut butter and sweetened condensed milk filling adds an irresistible gooeyness. With a generous sprinkle of chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups and chocolate chips on top, this treat is the ultimate dessert indulgence. Whether you’re craving something sweet for a party, a snack, or just a cozy dessert at home, these bars will hit the spot every time!
Ingredients:
1 box yellow cake mix
1 large egg
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz)
01 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups
Directions:
Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper or aluminum foil, making sure to leave an overhang for easy removal. Lightly grease the lined pan.
Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and egg. Mix until well combined. Press the 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 to cover the entire surface.
Add Sweetened Condensed Milk: Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the peanut butter layer.
Top with Chocolate and Reese’s: Sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups evenly over the top.
Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. The edges should be golden, and the center should be set.
Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang and cut into squares.
Servings and Timing
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Serving Size: 24 bars
Calories: 380 kcal per bar
Variations
Add Nuts: If you love a little crunch, try adding some chopped peanuts or other nuts to the mix.
Use Different Chocolate: Swap the semi-sweet chocolate chips with milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips, depending on your taste preference.
Add a Caramel Twist: Drizzle some caramel sauce over the top before serving for an extra layer of sweetness.
Storage/Reheating
Storage: Store these Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week.
Reheating: If you prefer them warm, heat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before serving.
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FAQs:
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare these bars a day or two in advance and store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Can I use a different type of cake mix?
Absolutely! You can substitute the yellow cake mix with other flavors like chocolate or vanilla, depending on what you prefer.
How do I know when the bars are done?
The edges should be golden brown, and the center should feel firm to the touch. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean, or with just a few moist crumbs.
Can I freeze these bars?
Yes, these bars freeze well! After cutting them into squares, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container. They’ll last for up to 3 months in the freezer.
How can I make these bars more gooey?
For extra gooeyness, try adding more sweetened condensed milk or use a thicker layer of peanut butter in the center. The more peanut butter and condensed milk, the gooier they’ll be!
Conclusion:
📖 Recipe:
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Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars are a rich and indulgent dessert combining yellow cake mix, creamy peanut butter, sweetened condensed milk, and Reese’s peanut butter cups. They are easy to make, gooey, and delicious, making them a perfect treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
1 box yellow cake mix
1 large egg
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving an overhang for easy removal. Lightly grease the lined pan.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and egg. Mix until well combined. Press the 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 to cover the entire surface.
- Add Sweetened Condensed Milk: Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the peanut butter layer.
- Top with Chocolate and Reese’s: Sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. The edges should be golden, and the center should be set.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang and cut into squares.
Notes
For extra gooeyness, add more sweetened condensed milk or use a thicker layer of peanut butter.
You can substitute the yellow cake mix with chocolate or vanilla cake mix.
These bars freeze well for up to 3 months. Wrap in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 31g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 25mg