Irresistible Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Bars Recipe

Decadent chocolate and peanut butter collide in these irresistible peanut butter cup gooey cookie bars that melt in your mouth.

Sweet layers of rich chocolate chips and creamy peanut butter create a dessert lovers dream.

Soft, chewy, and packed with incredible flavor, these bars bring serious indulgence to any gathering.

The combination of classic cookie texture with intense peanut butter cup chunks delivers an unbeatable treat.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of gooey centers and crisp edges that’ll make dessert enthusiasts swoon.

Chocolate and peanut butter fanatics won’t be able to resist this simple yet spectacular dessert that comes together in mere minutes.

Get ready to become the star baker with this crowd-pleasing recipe that guarantees smiles and empty plates.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30-35 minutes

Total Time: 45-50 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 25

Saving Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, smooth foundation for deep flavor and tender texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create crisp edges in the cookie bars.
• Light Brown Sugar: Introduces deep caramel notes and maintains moisture in the dessert.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and create structural integrity for the bars.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity with warm, aromatic undertones.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the fundamental structure and determines the perfect cookie texture.
• Baking Soda: Ensures light, soft rise and helps achieve soft, chewy consistency.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies all other flavor profiles in the recipe.

• Chocolate Chips: Deliver rich, melty chocolate pockets throughout the bars.
• Miniature Peanut Butter Cups: Add delightful chocolate-peanut butter surprise in every bite.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Introduces luxurious creaminess and extra sweetness.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: Provides intense nutty flavor and smooth, rich undertone.

Mississippi Mud Pie: Full Ingredient Breakdown

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining ingredients and creating cookie dough.
• 9×13: Perfect for baking these gooey bars evenly.
• Foil: Helps with easy removal and cleanup of the bars.
• Nonstick spray: Prevents sticking and ensures clean release.
• Small bowl: Used for mixing peanut butter and sweetened condensed milk.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Spatula or wooden spoon: Great for mixing and spreading dough.
• Knife: Needed for slicing bars after cooling.

Tools and Bakeware for Mississippi Mud Pie

• Preparation Setup

Organize your baking station with all essential tools and get ready for a delightful dessert adventure.

• Dough Foundation

Create a rich, buttery base by combining sugars and melted butter, then gradually incorporate eggs and flour for a perfect cookie consistency.

• Flavor Layering

Craft a creamy peanut butter mixture that will serve as a luxurious middle layer between soft cookie dough.

• Strategic Assembly

Carefully build your bars by pressing initial dough layer, strategically placing peanut butter cups, and drizzling peanut butter cream.

• Topping Technique

Gently scatter remaining dough across the surface, creating a rustic and inviting appearance.

• Baking Magic

Allow the bars to transform in the oven, watching them turn golden and develop a tantalizing aroma.

• Cooling and Serving

Patience is key – let the bars cool completely to ensure they hold their shape and develop maximum flavor complexity.

• Enjoyment

Slice into squares and savor each decadent bite of this irresistible dessert that combines classic chocolate and peanut butter flavors.

Follow These Steps to Make Mississippi Mud Pie

• Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars – Cooking Tips & Variations
• Chilling Technique: Refrigerate the bars for 1-2 hours before cutting to get cleaner, more precise slices that hold their shape perfectly.
• Chocolate Swap-Out: Replace peanut butter cups with different candy varieties like caramel-filled chocolates, mint cups, or crushed candy bars for exciting flavor twists.
• Storage Secret: Keep bars fresh by storing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness up to a week.
• Texture Boost: For extra crunch, sprinkle chopped peanuts or crushed graham crackers between layers or on top of the bars before baking for added texture and depth.
• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute sweetened condensed milk with coconut cream and use dairy-free chocolate chips to create a delicious alternative for those with dietary restrictions.

Tips for Enhancing Mississippi Mud Pie Flavor

• Dessert Plate Perfection: Arrange bars on a beautiful white ceramic plate, garnishing with a light dusting of powdered sugar for elegant presentation.
• Scoop of Delight: Serve each bar with a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, letting the creamy coldness complement the warm, gooey cookie texture.
• Coffee Companion: Pair these rich bars with a freshly brewed hot espresso or smooth cappuccino, creating a decadent dessert experience that balances sweetness with robust coffee notes.
• Picnic Party Treat: Pack these bars in a cute container for outdoor gatherings, potlucks, or family picnics, where their portable size and irresistible flavor will make them an instant crowd-pleaser.

Ideas for Serving Mississippi Mud Pie

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, maintaining their soft, gooey texture and rich flavor.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay delicious for up to 2 months when thawed at room temperature.
• Make-Ahead Mastery: Prepare the entire batch 1-2 days before serving. Cover and refrigerate to enhance flavor complexity and keep the bars fresh and moist.
• Portion Perfection: Cut bars into uniform squares and separate layers with parchment paper when storing, preventing them from sticking together and preserving their delectable shape.

Decadent Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 45-50 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Rich chocolate chip cookie bars feature a gooey peanut butter cup center that melts into each delectable bite. Chocolate lovers will savor these indulgent bars packed with creamy peanut butter and sweet chocolate chips.

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Ingredients

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• 3.25 cups (standard) / 3 ¼ cups (American) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 can (14 oz/397 grams) fat-free sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 0.75 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 0.25 cup creamy peanut butter
• 0.75 cup chocolate chips
• 30 miniature peanut butter cups
• 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9×13″ baking pan with foil, applying nonstick spray for easy removal.
2. Cookie Dough Base: Blend melted butter with sugars until smooth, then incorporate eggs, vanilla, salt, and baking soda, mixing thoroughly. Gradually fold in flour to create a dense dough, gently folding chocolate chips throughout.
3. Peanut Butter Filling: Whisk sweetened condensed milk with peanut butter until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
4. Layer Construction: Press half the cookie dough evenly across the pan’s bottom, creating a solid foundation. Strategically place miniature peanut butter cups across the surface, gently embedding them.
5. Filling Application: Generously drizzle the peanut butter and condensed milk mixture over the cups, ensuring complete coverage.
6. Final Layer: Crumble remaining cookie dough across the top, attempting to conceal the milk layer as comprehensively as possible.
7. Baking Process: Bake for 30-35 minutes until the surface achieves a golden-brown hue and the center appears set.
8. Cooling and Serving: Allow bars to cool completely within the pan to maintain structural integrity. Once cooled, slice into individual squares and serve at room temperature for optimal flavor experience.

Notes

• Precise Ingredient Mixing: Blend wet ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution and prevent clumping, creating a smooth, consistent dough texture.
• Strategic Layering Technique: Press first dough layer firmly and evenly to create a solid foundation that supports subsequent layers and prevents crumbling.
• Proper Baking Time Watch: Monitor golden-brown surface and set center carefully; slight underbaking maintains gooey texture while preventing burnt edges.
• Cooling Critical Step: Allow bars to cool completely in pan to stabilize structure, enhance flavor melding, and ensure clean, precise cutting of squares.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg