Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars Recipe

Introduction:

Dive into the indulgent world of Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars, a dessert that promises a symphony of textures and flavors for the ultimate sweet experience. These bars are a testament to the heavenly combination of peanut butter and chocolate, designed for those who cherish both in equal measure. Imagine a rich, buttery cookie base laden with chocolate chips and mini peanut butter cups, crowned with a velvety layer of peanut butter-infused sweetened condensed milk, all topped off with dollops of cookie dough. This dessert is not just a treat; it’s an adventure in every bite, offering gooey, chewy, and utterly decadent moments that will linger in your memory long after the last crumb.

Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup chocolate chips
• 30 miniature peanut butter cups
• 1 (14 oz) can fat-free sweetened condensed milk
• ¼ cup creamy peanut butter

Instructions:

1. Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with foil, ensuring the sides are covered for easy removal, and lightly coat with nonstick spray.
2. Cookie Dough Base: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined. Add the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract, salt, and baking soda. Gradually fold in the flour until the mixture is just combined, then fold in the chocolate chips.
3. Peanut Butter Layer: In a separate bowl, blend the sweetened condensed milk with the creamy peanut butter until smooth and homogenous.
4. Assembling the Bars: Press half of the cookie dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Arrange the miniature peanut butter cups over this layer. Gently pour the peanut butter and sweetened condensed milk mixture over the peanut butter cups, taking care to avoid direct contact with the edges of the foil. Crumble the remaining cookie dough over the top, pressing it down lightly. The dough should mostly cover the sweetened condensed milk layer but doesn’t need to be perfect.
5. Baking: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges start to pull away slightly from the foil.
6. Cooling and Serving: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting out the foil and cutting into individual bars. This ensures the layers set properly and makes for clean, easy cuts.
7. Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage. They are best enjoyed at room temperature for the gooeyest texture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes | Yield: 24 bars