Description
These Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars combine a rich chocolate cake crust with a creamy, luscious peanut butter and cream cheese filling, topped with melty chocolate chips for the perfect indulgent treat. Easy to make and irresistibly gooey, they’re perfect for dessert or a special snack.
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 and Prepare: 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 Crust: In a large bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, melted butter, and egg. Mix thoroughly until fully blended, then press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the base crust.
- Prepare the 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 with no lumps.
- Assemble the Bars: Pour the creamy peanut butter mixture over the chocolate crust in the baking dish, spreading it evenly using a spatula for a uniform layer.
- Add the Topping: Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the top of the peanut butter mixture for added chocolatey goodness.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, until the top turns golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs remaining.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. This cooling step ensures they set properly and hold their shape when sliced.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the filling.
- Use parchment paper for easier removal of bars from the pan.
- For extra gooey texture, do not overbake; the toothpick should come out with moist crumbs.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- These bars can be served chilled or at room temperature depending on preference.
