Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars Recipe
If you’re after the ultimate mashup of classic flavors, Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars are your next must-bake treat. These bars boast a thick, fudgy chocolate base topped with a luscious, peanut butter cream cheese layer that manages to be decadently rich and wonderfully gooey in every bite. They’re perfect for casual gatherings, potlucks, or simply treating your own cravings. With just a handful of pantry staples and an irresistible texture, this dessert is the kind of recipe that will quickly make anyone’s “best of” list!
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love most about these bars is how simple the ingredients are — each one is crucial to the signature taste and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Every component plays a deliciously specific role, so don’t skip a thing!
- Chocolate cake mix: The base of the bars, giving you a shortcut to deep, chocolaty flavor with minimal effort.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, melted): Adds richness and moisture, resulting in that signature dense, fudgy crust.
- Large eggs (3 total): One for the base and two in the filling create structure and just the right amount of gooeyness.
- Cream cheese (8 ounces, softened): Essential for the creamy, tangy peanut butter topping — let it come to room temp for easy mixing.
- Creamy peanut butter (1 cup): Delivers nutty depth and a dreamy, velvety texture to the gooey layer.
- Powdered sugar (3 cups): Sweetens the topping and keeps things smooth — regular sugar won’t dissolve as well for that soft bite.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): A must for rounding out all the chocolate and peanut butter notes with a bit of sweet warmth.
How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F and get your 9×13-inch baking dish ready with a light coat of grease. This crucial step ensures your Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars pop out easily and don’t stick, making for perfect slices later on.
Step 2: Make the Chocolate Crust
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, melted butter, and one egg. Stir until you get a thick, stiff dough that almost resembles brownie batter. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan — it’s the foundation of the bars, so take your time smoothing it out.
Step 3: Mix Up the Gooey Peanut Butter Layer
In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and peanut butter until completely smooth and no lumps remain. Next, add the powdered sugar, two eggs, and vanilla extract. Continue mixing until the filling is fluffy, creamy, and everything is seamlessly incorporated. This is the secret sauce of that ooey-gooey texture!
Step 4: Layer and Bake
Pour that dreamy peanut butter filling on top of your chocolate crust. Use a spatula to spread it evenly so every bite gets both layers. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes — you’ll want the edges set but the center to retain a slight jiggle, which ensures that signature gooey bite.
Step 5: Cool and Slice
Patience pays off here! Let your Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars cool completely before cutting. The bars firm up as they cool, making them easier to slice into clean, beautiful squares with thick layers in every bite.
How to Serve Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars
Garnishes
For an extra flourish, try drizzling a little melted chocolate or warm peanut butter over the cooled bars. You could also sprinkle on some chopped peanuts for crunch or a pinch of flaky sea salt for a sophisticated touch that balances the sweetness perfectly.
Side Dishes
Pair these bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a tall glass of cold milk — both will complement the rich flavors beautifully. If you’re feeling fancy, a spoonful of lightly sweetened whipped cream or a side of fresh berries adds a refreshing contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, consider cutting the bars into bite-size squares and threading them onto skewers for a fun dessert kabob. Or, serve each bar in a cupcake liner to make them extra easy to grab and go at gatherings or potlucks.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For even longer freshness, stash them in the fridge, where the flavors will continue to meld and the texture stays perfectly gooey.
Freezing
These bars freeze beautifully! Once cooled, cut them into squares and wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, and they’ll keep for up to two months. Just be sure to thaw them at room temp before serving.
Reheating
If you love your bars a little warm, pop a slice in the microwave for about 10 seconds. This brings back some of that just-baked softness and meltiness, especially if you’re eating them straight from the fridge or freezer.
FAQs
Can I use a homemade chocolate cake mix instead of a boxed one?
Absolutely! If you have a favorite homemade chocolate cake mix, go ahead and swap it in. Just make sure it measures about 15–16 ounces to match the boxed version for best results.
What type Dessert
Creamy peanut butter is ideal for a super smooth, luscious filling. Natural peanut butters can work, but they tend to separate and may make the bars a little more oily or less cohesive. Stick with classic creamy for perfect results!
Can I add chocolate chips or other mix-ins?
Definitely! Sprinkle chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or even chopped nuts between the crust and filling for a fun twist. Just keep in mind that too many add-ins might affect the gooey texture we all love.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?
The bars are ready when the edges look set and slightly golden, but the center still has a gentle jiggle when you tap the pan. Don’t worry if they seem too soft at first — they’ll firm up as they cool and will be perfectly gooey.
Can I make these Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute your favorite gluten-free chocolate cake mix in place of the regular one. Just double-check that all other ingredients are gluten-free, and you’re good to go.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to win over chocolate and peanut butter lovers alike, these Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars are an unbeatable bake. Their delightful texture and decadent flavor make every bite feel a little special. Give this recipe a try — and don’t be surprised if it becomes a fast favorite in your dessert rotation!
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars that combine the richness of chocolate and the creaminess of peanut butter in a delightful dessert.
Ingredients
Cake Mix Crust:
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
Peanut Butter Filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare the baking dish: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Make the Cake Mix Crust: Mix chocolate cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg to form a dough. Press into the baking dish as the crust.
- Prepare the Peanut Butter Filling: Beat cream cheese and peanut butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract; mix until fluffy.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the filling over the crust and bake for 40–45 minutes until set but gooey in the center.
- Cool and Serve: Allow bars to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Drizzle melted chocolate or warm peanut butter over bars for an extra touch.
- Store leftovers airtight at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 33 g
- Sodium: 190 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
