Dessert

Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars Recipe

ByRafael Mansero October 25, 2025October 25, 2025

Introduction

These Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars are the perfect treat for anyone who loves rich, chocolatey desserts with a peanut butter twist. Soft, chewy, and packed with peanut butter cups and chocolate chips, they’re guaranteed to wow your taste buds and satisfy your sweet tooth.

The image shows three stacked dessert bars with three clear layers each: a firm, golden brown crust at the bottom, a thick, glossy middle layer of melted chocolate and caramel oozing out, and a top layer of crumbly, golden oat cookie with uneven texture. The bars look soft and gooey, especially in the middle, with some caramel and chocolate spilling out between the layers. The background has a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate peanut butter cups, chopped (such as Reese’s)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and peanut butter until smooth and fluffy.
Step 3: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
Step 6: Fold in the chopped peanut butter cups and semi-sweet chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
Step 7: Spread the cookie dough evenly in the prepared baking pan.
Step 8: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Step 9: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before slicing into squares.

Tips & Variations

For extra gooey bars, slightly underbake and allow them to set as they cool.
Substitute creamy peanut butter with chunky for added texture.
Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for a crunchy twist.
Use dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet for a richer chocolate flavor.

Storage

Store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to enjoy warm and gooey bars.

How to Serve

A stack of three thick dessert bars is shown close-up on a wooden surface with a blurred white marbled background. Each bar has three main layers: a golden-brown, slightly crumbly cookie base, a thick, smooth caramel middle layer that looks soft and gooey, and a top layer of golden cookie dough with melted dark brown chocolate chunks melted into and drizzled over the bars. The chocolate creates a shiny, textured pattern on the top and edges, oozing slightly down the sides. The whole stack looks rich, moist, and inviting. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use natural peanut butter instead of creamy peanut butter?

Natural peanut butter can be used, but it may affect the texture slightly due to its oil content. Stir well before measuring and consider adding a little more flour if the dough feels too wet.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures 1:1. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum or add it separately to help with the texture.