Heavenly Gooey Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

Nothing beats the classic comfort of homemade peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bars that melt in your mouth with pure decadence.

Soft, chewy, and packed with rich flavor, these bars promise an irresistible treat for any sweet tooth.

The combination of creamy peanut butter and melted chocolate chips creates a symphony of taste that dances across your palate.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and nutty depth that keeps you coming back for more.

Baking these bars is simpler than you might expect, requiring just a few basic ingredients and minimal prep time.

The result is a dessert that looks impressive and tastes even better than store-bought treats.

Prepare to indulge in a dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 280 kcal

Servings: 13

Everything Needed For Gooey Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

• Melted Butter: Provides rich, tender texture and helps bind ingredients together; choose unsalted butter for better flavor control.
• Peanut Butter: Delivers deep nutty flavor and creamy consistency; opt for natural, smooth variety for best results.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and deep caramel notes; look for fresh, soft-packed brown sugar.
• Granulated Sugar: Creates crisp edges and sweetness; choose fine-grain sugar for smooth blending.
• Egg, Egg Yolk: Contribute structure and richness; use fresh, room-temperature eggs for even mixing.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity; select pure vanilla extract for authentic taste.

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base structure of bars; sift to prevent lumps and ensure even distribution.
• Baking Powder: Provides lift and soft texture; check expiration date for maximum effectiveness.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies other flavors; use fine sea salt for even seasoning.

• Chocolate Chips, Peanut Butter Chips: Add delightful bursts of flavor and texture; choose high-quality chips for best melting and taste.

Equipment For Gooey Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining all ingredients smoothly and easily.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending wet ingredients until they're creamy and well-mixed.
• 9×9-inch Baking Pan: Crucial for creating the perfect cookie bar shape and size.
• Parchment Paper: Helps with easy removal and prevents sticking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient amounts for consistent results.
• Spatula: Great for folding in chocolate chips and scraping batter into the pan.
• Cooling Rack: Optional for cooling bars after removing from the pan.

How To Make Gooey Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F and grab a 9-inch baking pan. Line it with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over like a cozy blanket.

• Create the Dough Magic

Grab a big mixing bowl and whisk together melted butter, creamy peanut butter, and both sugars until they’re dancing together smoothly. Crack in the egg and egg yolk, splash in vanilla, and mix until everything looks perfectly blended. Gently fold in flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt, stirring just enough to combine. Now for the fun part – toss in those chocolate chips and watch the magic happen.

• Bake and Transform

Spread the dough evenly across the pan like you’re tucking it into bed. Slide into the hot oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. You’ll want the edges looking set but the center still soft and tempting. Once done, let it cool in the pan for a quick 15-minute rest. Then lift out using the parchment paper and slice into irresistible squares of pure joy.

Baking Tips For Gooey Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

• Perfect Texture Trick: Cool your butter and peanut butter to room temperature for a more consistent, smooth dough that ensures even baking.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dough and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking to enhance flavor depth and develop richer taste notes.
• Gluten-Free Swap: Replace all-purpose flour with a certified gluten-free blend to make these bars accessible for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Healthier Indulgence: Reduce sugar by using half the amount and substituting with natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit for a lower-calorie treat.
• Protein Power Boost: Mix in a scoop of vanilla protein powder to transform these bars into a post-workout snack that satisfies sweet cravings while supporting muscle recovery.

How To Serve Gooey Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

• Dessert Party Platter: Create a stunning dessert board with these cookie bars as the centerpiece, surrounded by fresh berries, whipped cream, and a drizzle of melted chocolate for an elegant presentation.
• Cold Milk Companion: Serve these warm, gooey bars with a cold glass of milk or creamy vanilla milkshake to enhance the rich, sweet flavors and provide a delightful contrast.
• Ice Cream Sandwich Twist: Transform the bars into a decadent dessert by sandwiching a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream between two halves, creating an irresistible summer treat.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Wrap individual bars in parchment paper and twine for a homemade gift, perfect for bake sales, potlucks, or sharing with friends and family.

Keep Gooey Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Fresh

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep Freshness Alive
• Cooling Countdown: Let cookie bars cool completely at room temperature before storing to prevent condensation and maintain texture.
• Airtight Container Strategy: Stack bars between wax paper layers in a sealed container, keeping them fresh for 4-5 days at room temperature.
• Refrigeration Trick: Extend shelf life by storing in refrigerator for up to 7 days, ensuring bars remain moist and delicious.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag for up to 3 months, perfect for future sweet cravings.

Mouthwatering Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Indulgent chocolate chip and peanut butter cookie bars meld classic comfort with irresistible sweetness. Warm, rich layers promise delightful moments of pure baking bliss that welcome you to savor each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (180 g / 6.3 oz) chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
• ½ cup (115 g / 4 oz) unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup (120 g / 4.2 oz) creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup (75 g / 2.6 oz) peanut butter chips (optional, for extra peanut butter flavor)
• 1 cup (200 g / 7 oz) sugar (¾ cup brown sugar + ¼ cup granulated sugar)
• 1 ¼ cups (160 g / 5.6 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Activate the oven to 350F (175C) and line a 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper, creating extended edges for effortless extraction.
2. Base Creation: Whisk melted butter, peanut butter, and sugars into a glossy, harmonious blend that promises rich, indulgent flavor.
3. Liquid Integration: Vigorously blend eggs and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, transforming the texture into a silky, uniform consistency.
4. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Delicately fold flour, baking powder, and salt into the wet mixture, maintaining a tender dough structure without aggressive mixing.
5. Chip Distribution: Thoroughly disperse chocolate and peanut butter chips throughout the dough, ensuring a balanced sweet sensation in every morsel.
6. Pan Arrangement: Expertly spread the cookie dough across the prepared pan, creating an even layer that fills every corner with potential deliciousness.
7. Baking Process: Slide the pan into the preheated oven, baking for 22-26 minutes until edges turn golden and center remains luxuriously soft, developing a perfect textural contrast.
8. Cooling Stage: Allow bars to rest in the pan for 15 minutes, enabling structural stabilization and flavor intensification.
9. Serving Presentation: Elevate the bars using parchment paper, then slice into square portions to reveal the decadent, gooey interior.

Notes

• Prevent Dryness: Use room temperature butter and eggs to ensure a moist, tender texture that melts in your mouth.
• Maintain Gooey Consistency: Avoid overbaking by checking bars at 22 minutes and removing when edges are golden but center remains slightly soft and jiggly.
• Customize Chip Distribution: Mix chocolate and peanut butter chips gently to prevent sinking, ensuring an even spread of sweet morsels throughout the bars.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Consider adding a pinch of sea salt on top before baking to amplify the sweet-salty contrast and elevate the overall taste profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg