If you’re looking for a dessert that combines rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter in the most delightfully indulgent way, the Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars Recipe is about to become your new obsession. This treat delivers a fudgy chocolate base with a luscious, gooey peanut butter layer on top, all topped off with melty chocolate chips. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and irresistible ooey gooeyness that makes every bite a little moment of joy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting ready to whip up this Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars Recipe is as simple as gathering a handful of pantry staples. Each ingredient plays a vital role in creating the perfect texture, flavor, and consistency that make these bars a standout dessert.
- Chocolate cake mix: The base of the bars providing that rich chocolatey foundation and moist texture.
- Butter, melted: Adds richness and helps bind the crust for a tender bite.
- Egg: Brings the ingredients together and gives structure to the crust.
- Cream cheese, softened: Creates a creamy, tangy layer that balances the sweetness beautifully.
- Peanut butter: Injects a nutty flavor and adds luscious gooeyness to the filling.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the filling while keeping it silky smooth.
- Vanilla extract: A little dash to elevate all the flavors with warm aromatic notes.
- Chocolate chips: Sprinkled on top for extra bursts of melty chocolate in every bite.
How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper. This ensures that your bars bake evenly without sticking, making cleanup a breeze and your bars easy to lift out once cooled.
Step 2: Create the Chocolate Crust
In a large bowl, stir together the chocolate cake mix, melted butter, and egg until everything is fully combined. This mixture will form your crust, giving a rich chocolatey base that’s moist yet sturdy enough to hold the creamy filling. Press it firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan to create an even layer.
Step 3: Whip Up the Peanut Butter Filling
Next, in a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. This luscious peanut butter layer is where the ooey gooey magic happens, offering a softness that contrasts wonderfully with the chocolate crust.
Step 4: Assemble the Bars
Pour the creamy peanut butter mixture over the chocolate crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Even coverage helps every bite have that perfect balance of chocolate and peanut butter.
Step 5: Top with Chocolate Chips
Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the peanut butter layer. As they bake, the chips melt and create little pockets of gooey chocolate throughout the bars, upping the decadence factor.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake the bars for 30 to 35 minutes until the top turns golden and a toothpick inserted into the filling emerges mostly clean but with a few moist crumbs. This indicates that the filling is set but still deliciously gooey.
Step 7: Cool and Cut
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing them into squares. Cooling helps the layers firm up enough to serve neat bars without losing that signature ooey gooey texture.
How to Serve Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars Recipe
Garnishes
Consider dusting the tops with a little powdered sugar or adding a drizzle of melted peanut butter or chocolate ganache for a beautiful finishing touch. A sprinkle of chopped peanuts can bring in an extra crunch that plays wonderfully against the soft, gooey layers.
Side Dishes
These bars shine beautifully alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, both of which add a creamy, cooling contrast. A cup of strong black coffee or a cold glass of milk also pairs perfectly, balancing the sweetness of the bars.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun party treat, cut the bars into bite-sized squares and serve on decorative toothpicks. You can layer them in a pretty dessert tray or box for gifting. Wrapping individual bars in wax paper with a ribbon also makes a charming homemade gift idea.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer freshness, keep them refrigerated where they will last about a week while maintaining their rich flavor and gooey texture.
Freezing
You can freeze these bars by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They freeze well for up to three months, making them a perfect make-ahead treat for busy days or special occasions.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy these bars warm, reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds. The gooey layers soften wonderfully, reviving that fresh-from-the-oven feel with minimal effort.
FAQs
Can I use homemade chocolate cake mix for this recipe?
Absolutely! While store-bought mix is convenient, a homemade chocolate cake base can add a richer, personalized flavor that enhances the overall taste of the bars.
Is it necessary to use cream cheese in the peanut butter layer?
Cream cheese is key for creating that silky, creamy texture that balances the sweetness and peanut flavor, so it’s highly recommended for the best ooey gooey effect.
Can I substitute peanut butter with another nut butter?
You sure can! Almond butter or cashew butter work well as alternatives and offer different flavor profiles while keeping the gooey texture intact.
How do I know when the bars are fully baked?
Look for a golden top and test with a toothpick—it should come out mostly clean but may have a few moist crumbs, indicating a soft, gooey filling inside.
Are these bars suitable for special occasions?
Definitely! Their impressive flavor and delicious texture make Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars Recipe a crowd-pleaser perfect for birthdays, potlucks, or any celebration worth indulging.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly satisfying about sinking your teeth into these Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars Recipe — the way the chocolate crust pairs with the creamy peanut butter layer and melty chocolate chips is pure bliss. You owe it to yourself to try this recipe and watch it quickly become a beloved staple in your dessert rotation. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll be requested again and again!
Print
Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Indulge in these rich and decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars featuring a fudgy chocolate cake crust topped with a creamy peanut butter and cream cheese layer, finished with melty chocolate chips. Perfect for gatherings or a sweet treat any time of day, these bars combine classic flavors in a delightfully gooey and satisfying dessert.
Ingredients
Chocolate Crust
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 egg
Peanut Butter Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Make Chocolate Crust: In a large bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, melted butter, and egg. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is fully blended and uniform, then press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish forming a solid crust layer.
- Prepare Peanut Butter Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy with no lumps.
- Assemble Bars: Pour the peanut butter filling over the chocolate crust in the baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it evenly across the surface.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Evenly sprinkle the chocolate chips over the peanut butter layer, ensuring good coverage for that extra chocolatey bite.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. The top should turn a light golden color, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs attached.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, cut into squares and serve for a rich, gooey treat.
Notes
- For best results, ensure cream cheese is fully softened before mixing.
- Use parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
- Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- To make the bars extra indulgent, warm slightly before serving to enhance gooey texture.
- You can substitute peanut butter with almond butter for a different nutty flavor.
