If you’re a fan of chocolate and peanut butter, get ready to fall in love with these Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars! These bars are everything you crave—soft, chewy, rich, and loaded with peanut butter cups. With layers of buttery peanut butter dough, gooey chocolate chips, and melty peanut butter cups in every bite, they’re an absolute dream for any dessert lover!
Best of all? They’re super easy to make and require just a few simple ingredients. Whether you’re baking for a party, a potluck, or just treating yourself, these bars are guaranteed to disappear fast!
Why You’ll Love These Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars
- Loaded with peanut butter cups – Every bite is packed with melty chocolate and peanut butter goodness!
- Incredibly soft & gooey – The texture is chewy, buttery, and utterly irresistible.
- Easy to make – No fancy ingredients or complicated steps.
- Perfect for any occasion – Great for holidays, bake sales, or satisfying late-night cravings.
What Do These Bars Taste Like?
Imagine the richness of a peanut butter cookie, the chewiness of a blondie, and the melty chocolate of a peanut butter cup—all combined into one insanely delicious dessert. The peanut butter flavor shines through, while the gooey chocolate and soft texture make every bite pure heaven!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups chopped peanut butter cups (plus extra for topping!)
Tools You’ll Need
- 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking pan
- Mixing bowls
- Hand or stand mixer
- Spatula
- Parchment paper
How to Make Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it for easy removal.
2. Make the Peanut Butter Dough
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
3. Add the Dry Ingredients
Sift in the flour, baking powder, and salt, then gently fold everything together until just combined.
4. Stir in the Chocolate & Peanut Butter Cups
Fold in the chocolate chips and chopped peanut butter cups, making sure they’re evenly distributed.
5. Spread & Top
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Press a few extra chopped peanut butter cups on top for an extra gooey, chocolatey finish.
6. Bake to Perfection
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the center is still slightly soft. The bars will continue to set as they cool!
7. Cool & Slice
Let the bars cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing. For the cleanest cuts, chill them in the fridge for an hour first.
What to Serve with Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream – The ultimate warm-and-cold dessert combo!
- A drizzle of melted peanut butter or chocolate – For extra indulgence.
- A glass of cold milk – Because peanut butter + chocolate + milk = perfection!
- A sprinkle of flaky sea salt – Balances the sweetness beautifully.
Tips for the Best Gooey Bars
- Don’t overbake! – The bars will firm up as they cool, so pull them out when the center is slightly underdone.
- Use fresh peanut butter cups – They’ll melt better and taste fresher.
- For extra gooeyness, underbake by 2 minutes and let them cool completely before slicing.
- Want thicker bars? Use an 8×8-inch pan instead of a 9×9-inch one.
Storage Instructions
Room Temperature
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Refrigerator
Keep in the fridge for up to a week—they’ll stay soft and chewy!
Freezing
Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
FAQs About Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars
1. Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
Yes! It’ll add a little extra texture to the bars.
2. Can I use a different kind of chocolate?
Of course! Try white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks, or even caramel bits for a fun twist.
3. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Use a 9×13-inch pan and bake for about 30-35 minutes.
4. My bars are too crumbly—what happened?
Make sure not to overbake them! Also, let them cool completely before slicing.
5. Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Final Thoughts
These Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars are an absolute chocolate-peanut butter dream! They’re rich, fudgy, chewy, and insanely delicious—perfect for any occasion. If you love peanut butter cups, you NEED to try this recipe!
If you make these, let me know in the comments and share your photos on Pinterest! I’d love to see your delicious creations!
Looking for more peanut butter desserts? Try these next:
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake
- No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Happy baking! 🍫🥜💕