Gooey Peanut Butter & Cookie Dough Fudge Bars Recipe: A Sweet Treat

Creamy peanut butter swirls through decadent cookie dough fudge bars that melt hearts and satisfy sweet cravings.

Layers of rich chocolate and smooth peanut butter create an irresistible dessert experience.

The combination of classic flavors promises pure bliss in every single bite.

Soft, crumbly cookie dough mingles with silky fudge for a treat that feels like pure comfort.

No baking required means you can whip up these delightful bars in minutes.

Each square delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and texture that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Treat yourself to this simple yet stunning dessert that transforms ordinary moments into delicious memories.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 16

Fudge Bar Ingredient Rundown

• Peanut Butter: Creamy base that provides rich, nutty flavor and smooth texture for the fudge layer.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds sweetness and helps create a silky, rich consistency in the fudge.
• Butter: Enhances richness and helps bind the ingredients together smoothly.

• Butter: Softened butter creates a creamy, tender texture in the cookie dough.
• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Provide sweetness and help create a classic cookie dough flavor profile.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, comforting aroma and depth of flavor to the cookie dough.
• Milk: Helps bind ingredients and create a soft, pliable cookie dough consistency.
• Heat-Treated Flour: Ensures food safety by eliminating potential bacteria, making raw-style cookie dough safe to eat.
• Mini Chocolate Chips: Adds delightful chocolate bursts and classic cookie dough texture.

• Melted Chocolate: Optional drizzle that adds extra chocolate flavor and visual appeal.
• Sea Salt: Provides a subtle flavor contrast and enhances the overall sweetness of the bars.

Tools to Craft Cookie Dough Fudge Bars

• 8×8-inch Baking Pan: Essential for creating perfectly sized, uniform bars.
• Parchment Paper: Crucial for easy removal and clean cutting of the bars.
• Medium Saucepan: Needed for melting and combining the peanut butter fudge layer.
• Mixing Bowl: Perfect for preparing the cookie dough layer and mixing ingredients.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: Helps create a smooth, creamy texture for both layers.
• Rubber Spatula: Great for folding chocolate chips and spreading layers evenly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements ensure recipe success.
• Sharp Knife: Used for cleanly cutting the chilled bars into squares.

Layer Fudge Bars with Peanut Butter Goodness

• Create Peanut Butter Fudge Foundation

Melt peanut butter, sweetened condensed milk, and butter in a saucepan over low heat. Stir continuously until silky smooth and perfectly blended. Pour the luxurious mixture into a lined pan, spreading it evenly to create a creamy base. Pop the pan into the refrigerator to set while preparing the next layer.

• Whip Up Cookie Dough Topping

Beat softened butter with brown and granulated sugars until fluffy and light. Splash in vanilla extract and milk, mixing thoroughly. Gently fold in heat-treated flour and mini chocolate chips, creating a delectable cookie dough layer that will make taste buds dance.

• Layer and Decorate

Retrieve the chilled fudge foundation from the refrigerator. Carefully spread the cookie dough on top, ensuring an even coating. For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle melted chocolate and sprinkle a pinch of sea salt across the surface.

• Chill and Slice

Refrigerate the bars for at least two hours until completely firm. Once set, lift the entire creation out using the parchment paper. Slice into tempting squares or bars, ready to be devoured.

• Serve and Enjoy

Serve these decadent bars chilled or at room temperature. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week – if they last that long!

Tips for Perfectly Set Dessert Squares

• Expert Cookie Dough Fudge Bar Insights
• Always heat-treat flour in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to eliminate potential bacteria, ensuring a safe and delicious no-bake cookie dough experience.
• Maintain low, steady heat when melting peanut butter mixture to prevent separation and achieve a silky-smooth consistency that sets beautifully.
• Swap regular flour with certified gluten-free flour blend and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free for a celiac-friendly dessert option.
• Replace sweetened condensed milk with coconut condensed milk and use dairy-free butter alternatives to create a delectable vegan-friendly version of these decadent bars.
• Experiment with different chocolate chip varieties like dark chocolate, white chocolate, or butterscotch chips to personalize the cookie dough layer and create unique flavor profiles.

Serve Cold with Extra Chips on Top

• Sweet Indulgence Platter: Create a stunning dessert board with these fudge bars alongside fresh berries, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings for a decadent presentation.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Pair these bars with a cold glass of milk, hot coffee, or creamy chai latte to enhance the rich, sweet flavors and create a delightful snacking experience.
• Gifting Delight: Wrap individual bars in parchment paper and tie with a ribbon for a homemade gift that will impress friends, family, or colleagues with your baking skills.
• Party Dessert Centerpiece: Arrange the bars on a beautiful platter with decorative chocolate drizzles and edible flowers for a show-stopping dessert that will be the talk of any gathering.

Store Bars in the Fridge for Best Texture

• Refrigerate bars for at least 2 hours to ensure a perfect, firm texture that holds together beautifully when sliced.
• Keep these delectable bars in an airtight container inside the refrigerator, maintaining freshness for up to 7 days and protecting their creamy, soft consistency.
• Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. These treats can be frozen for 2-3 months, offering a make-ahead dessert option that stays delicious.
• Allow bars to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving to soften slightly, enhancing their rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture and bringing out the deep peanut butter and chocolate flavors.

FAQs

• Are the ingredients safe to eat raw?

The heat-treated flour and sweetened condensed milk ensure food safety by eliminating potential bacteria risks in the recipe.

• Can I use different types of peanut butter?

Natural or creamy peanut butter works best. Avoid using very oily or separated peanut butter as it might affect the fudge’s texture.

• Do I need any special equipment to make these bars?

You’ll need a basic 8×8-inch baking pan, parchment paper, mixing bowls, and standard kitchen tools like a spatula and measuring cups.

• How do I heat-treat flour at home?

Spread flour on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, stirring once, to kill potential bacteria and make it safe for no-bake recipes.

Indulgent Peanut Butter & Cookie Dough Fudge Bars Recipe

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4.5 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 17 1x

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Description

Peanut butter lovers will adore these cookie dough fudge bars that blend rich chocolate and smooth peanut butter. Rich layers of sweet indulgence create a delectable dessert you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (250 g) creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup (120 g) unsalted butter
• ½ cup (120 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour (heat-treated for safety)
• ⅓ cup (65 g) brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (90 g) mini chocolate chips
• ¼ cup (45 g) chocolate chips, melted
• ½ cup (120 ml) sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tbsps milk (or cream)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt

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Instructions

1. Fudge Foundation: Melt peanut butter, sweetened condensed milk, and butter in a saucepan, stirring until smooth and glossy, then pour into a parchment-lined pan, creating an even surface.
2. Cookie Dough Preparation: Cream softened butter with brown and granulated sugars until light and fluffy, then blend in vanilla extract and milk, folding in heat-treated flour and mini chocolate chips until well combined.
3. Layer Assembly: Carefully spread the cookie dough over the chilled peanut butter fudge base, ensuring uniform coverage and a consistent thickness.
4. Optional Garnish: Embellish the dessert with a delicate chocolate drizzle and a light sprinkle of sea salt for added flavor complexity.
5. Chilling and Setting: Refrigerate the layered bars for a minimum of two hours to allow complete solidification and flavor melding.
6. Serving: Remove from refrigerator, lift out using parchment paper edges, slice into precise geometric squares or rectangular bars, and serve chilled. Store any remaining portions in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Notes

• Precision Melting: Use low heat and constant stirring when melting peanut butter mixture to prevent burning or separation, ensuring a smooth, glossy texture.
• Heat-Treat Flour Safely: Always heat-treat flour in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to eliminate potential bacteria, making the cookie dough layer safe to consume.
• Consistent Layering: Use an offset spatula or back of a spoon to spread layers evenly, creating clean, professional-looking bars with balanced flavor distribution.
• Chill for Perfect Texture: Patience is key – allow minimum two-hour refrigeration to achieve ideal firm yet creamy consistency that holds shape when sliced.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 17
• Calories: 229
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 94 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 18 mg