There’s nothing better than a warm, gooey dessert that combines chocolate, peanut butter, and caramel.
These bars are chewy, creamy, and perfect for sharing.
Whether it’s for a party or a cozy night in, this simple recipe will quickly become your favorite treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ½ cups light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup peanut butter cups, chopped (plus extra for topping)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¾ cup caramel sauce
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
Step 2: Whisk melted butter and brown sugar in a large bowl until smooth. Mix in eggs and vanilla extract.
Step 3: Gradually add flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir until just combined.
Step 4: Fold in chopped peanut butter cups and chocolate chips, saving some for topping.
Step 5: Spread half the batter in the pan, drizzle with half the caramel sauce, then add the rest of the batter and swirl in the remaining caramel.
Step 6: Top with reserved peanut butter cups and chocolate chips. Bake for 30–35 minutes, let cool completely, and slice.
Tips
Use room-temperature ingredients: This ensures a smooth batter and even baking.
Perfect swirling: Use a knife to make gentle figure-eight motions for a marbled look.
Don’t overbake: Slightly underbaked bars give the best gooey texture.
Quality pan: A non-stick pan makes baking and cleanup easier.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use natural peanut butter?
Yes, just make sure it’s well-stirred to avoid separation.
2. How do I make this nut-free?
Replace peanut butter cups with nut-free chocolate candies and use sunflower seed butter.
3. Can I substitute dark chocolate chips?
Yes, dark chocolate works well for a richer flavor.
4. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Use a larger pan or bake in two batches.
5. How do I store leftovers?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 ½ cups light brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup peanut butter cups chopped (plus extra for topping)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¾ cup caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
- Whisk melted butter and brown sugar in a large bowl until smooth. Mix in eggs and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir until just combined.
- Fold in chopped peanut butter cups and chocolate chips, saving some for topping.
- Spread half the batter in the pan, drizzle with half the caramel sauce, then add the rest of the batter and swirl in the remaining caramel.
- Top with reserved peanut butter cups and chocolate chips. Bake for 30–35 minutes, let cool completely, and slice.