Description
Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars combine rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter in a delightful dessert. Chocolate lovers will savor each indulgent bite of this irresistible sweet treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (375 g / 13.2 oz) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (350 g / 12.3 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup (225 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g / 7 oz) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (200 g / 7 oz) brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsps heavy cream or milk
- 1 cup (240 g / 8.5 oz) creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup (115 g / 4 oz) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ½ cups (180 g / 6.3 oz) powdered sugar
- 1 ½ cups (225 g / 7.9 oz) mini peanut butter cups, chopped
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preparation: Generously coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray and line with parchment paper, ensuring smooth edges for easy removal.
- Dough Foundation: Blend dry ingredients thoroughly to create a rich, dark base, then cream softened butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
- Wet Ingredients: Whisk eggs and vanilla into the butter mixture, creating a silky emulsion that binds the dough and enhances flavor complexity.
- Dough Assembly: Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, taking care not to overmix. Press two-thirds of the dough into the prepared pan, forming an even base layer.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer: Distribute peanut butter cups evenly across the initial dough layer, ensuring a delectable chocolate-peanut butter element in every bite.
- Topping Technique: Carefully spread the remaining dough over the peanut butter cups, creating a rustic, uneven top layer that adds visual appeal and textural interest.
- Baking Process: Bake in a preheated oven until edges turn golden brown and the center maintains a subtle wobble, indicating the perfect gooey consistency.
- Cooling and Serving: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan, then lift out using parchment paper edges. Slice into precise squares and serve at room temperature for optimal enjoyment.
Notes
- Prevent Tough Texture: Fold dry ingredients gently into wet mixture to avoid overworking the dough, ensuring tender and soft cookie bars.
- Uniform Peanut Butter Cup Distribution: Strategically place chocolate-peanut butter candies evenly across the base layer for consistent flavor in every bite.
- Perfect Gooey Consistency: Watch for golden brown edges and a slight center jiggle during baking to achieve the ideal soft, moist texture.
- Easy Removal Technique: Use parchment paper overhang to effortlessly lift and remove bars from the baking dish without breaking or crumbling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 17
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg