If you’re a fan of rich, chewy cookie bars and irresistible peanut butter cups, this recipe is your dream come true. These Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars are soft, buttery, and filled with layers of melted peanut butter and chopped peanut butter cups. Perfect for bake sales, potlucks, or just treating yourself!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Decadently gooey and rich texture
Loaded with mini peanut butter cups
Perfect balance of sweet and salty
Easy to make in one pan
Freezer-friendly for make-ahead desserts

Ingredients Breakdown

Unsalted butter (melted): Adds rich flavor and a soft, gooey texture
Brown sugar: Provides deep caramel notes and chewiness
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and structure
Eggs: Bind the ingredients and add moisture
Vanilla extract: Enhances overall flavor
All-purpose flour: Gives structure to the cookie bars
Baking powder: Helps the bars rise slightly for a tender bite
Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies flavor
Mini peanut butter cups (chopped): Add bursts of chocolate and peanut butter in every bite
Creamy peanut butter: Creates a gooey, rich middle layer

Tips and Tricks

Use parchment paper with overhang for easy removal and clean cuts.
Slight underbaking keeps the bars extra gooey and soft.
Swap in dark chocolate or Reese’s Pieces for a twist.
Let cool fully before slicing for neater pieces.

Variations and Customizations

Chocolate Drizzle: Add melted chocolate drizzle over the top before serving.
Nutty Crunch: Add chopped salted peanuts for extra texture.
Double Peanut Butter: Use peanut butter chips along with mini peanut butter cups.
Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Pairing Suggestions

Pair with a tall glass of cold milk or a mocha latte.
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.
Enjoy with cold brew coffee for the ultimate sweet-salty combo.

Storage Instructions

Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Refrigerator: Keeps for up to 1 week.
Freezer: Freeze individually wrapped bars for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.

Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars

Author: easysweetmeal
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 24 bars

Print Recipe

Description

Imagine: buttery cookie layers stuffed with melty peanut butter cups and swirled with creamy PB. Pure indulgence in every gooey bite!

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 cups mini peanut butter cups, chopped
½ cup creamy peanut butter

Instructions

1. Preheat & Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan, then line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting later.

2. Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and glossy.
Add in the eggs and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.

3. Add the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually stir the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined — do not overmix.

4. Add Peanut Butter Cups

Fold in the chopped mini peanut butter cups evenly.

5. Layer the Dough and Peanut Butter

Spread half of the cookie dough evenly in the prepared pan.
Microwave the creamy peanut butter for about 20–30 seconds, until slightly runny.
Drizzle the melted peanut butter over the dough layer.
Drop spoonfuls of the remaining dough over the top and gently spread to cover.

6. Bake

Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
Cool completely in the pan before lifting out using the parchment overhang.

7. Slice and Serve

Once cool, slice into squares and enjoy the gooey, peanut buttery goodness.

Notes

These Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Cookie Bars are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser — perfect for parties, cookie swaps, or simply indulging your peanut butter cravings. With layers of gooey goodness and chunks of chocolatey peanut butter cups, every bite is pure dessert bliss.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American