Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars

Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars are the perfect treat for chocolate and peanut butter lovers. Soft chocolate chip cookie dough is layered with gooey peanut butter cups, then topped with a creamy peanut butter and sweetened condensed milk mixture. Once baked, these bars are golden brown on top, with a soft, chewy center that is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. Perfect for parties, family gatherings, or a special treat at home, they are easy to make and irresistibly delicious!

INGREDIENTS

• Unsalted butter: 1 cup, melted, to create a rich base for the cookie dough.
• Granulated sugar: 3/4 cup, for sweetness in the cookie dough.
• Light brown sugar: 1 cup, packed, for added richness and moisture in the dough.
• Eggs: 2 large, to bind the dough and provide structure.
• Pure vanilla extract: 1 tablespoon, for flavoring the cookie dough.
• Baking soda: 1 teaspoon, to help the dough rise and soften.
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon, to balance the sweetness of the dough.
• All-purpose flour: 3 1/4 cups, to form the dough base.
• Chocolate chips: 3/4 cup, for extra chocolate flavor throughout the bars.
• Miniature Peanut Butter Cups: 30, unwrapped, to create layers of creamy peanut butter throughout the bars.
• Fat-free sweetened condensed milk: 1 (14 oz) can, for a creamy, sweet filling.
• Creamy peanut butter: 1/4 cup, for a smooth peanut butter filling.

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1:

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13” baking pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.

Step 2:

In a large bowl, stir together melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract, salt, and baking soda.

Step 3:

Slowly mix in the flour and stir in chocolate chips.

Step 4:

In a separate bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter until smooth.

Step 5:

Press half of the cookie dough into the prepared pan. Place the unwrapped peanut butter cups evenly over the dough.

Step 6:

Pour the peanut butter and sweetened condensed milk mixture over the dough and peanut butter cups, leaving a 1/4-inch edge.

Step 7:

Drop remaining cookie dough pieces over the filling, gently pressing them into the mixture.

Step 8:

Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown.

Step 9:

Let cool completely before slicing into bars. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 1 month.

Serving and Storage Tips

• Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing to ensure they set properly.
• For extra flavor, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or drizzle with melted chocolate.

Helpful Notes

• If you want more peanut butter flavor, try adding a handful of chopped peanuts to the cookie dough.
• For a chewier texture, bake for the shorter end of the time range (30 minutes).

Tips from Well-Known Chefs

• Chef Duff Goldman suggests adding a pinch of sea salt on top of the bars before baking for an added salty-sweet kick.

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