Description
These Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars combine a rich chocolate cake crust with a creamy, sweet peanut butter and cream cheese filling, topped with melty chocolate chips. Perfectly gooey and indulgent, they make a delightful dessert or snack for chocolate and peanut butter lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 egg
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 the oven and prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Make the chocolate crust: In a large bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, melted butter, and egg. Mix thoroughly until fully combined. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust layer.
- Prepare the peanut butter filling: In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy without lumps.
- Assemble the bars: Pour the peanut butter mixture over the chocolate crust. Use a spatula to spread it evenly across the surface.
- Add the chocolate chip topping: Sprinkle the chocolate chips uniformly over the peanut butter layer, so they melt into the filling during baking.
- Bake the bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top turns golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs attached.
- Cool and serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares. This step ensures the bars set properly and hold their shape when served.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easy mixing and a smooth filling.
- You can substitute peanut butter with almond butter or any nut butter if preferred.
- For extra indulgence, drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled bars before serving.
- If you prefer a thicker crust, press the cake mix mixture slightly more densely into the pan.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
