Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars Recipe

If you love desserts that deliver pure comfort with big flavors, these Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars will steal your heart (and your sweet tooth’s undivided attention). Imagine a fudgy chocolate base topped with a rich, creamy peanut butter layer, all baked to a perfect gooey finish. Every bite tastes like a nostalgic bake sale treat—one that’s gloriously messy and impossible to eat politely. Whether you’re treating friends or looking for a new family favorite, this recipe elevates a handful of pantry staples into something show-stopping, all with minimal fuss and maximum indulgence.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe keeps things blissfully simple but uses key ingredients that guarantee the richest flavor and the iconic texture. Each component plays an essential role—so here’s why you’ll love mixing them together for your Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars.

• Chocolate cake mix: The secret shortcut to a fudgy, chewy base that tastes like it took hours to make from scratch.
• Unsalted butter: Provides melt-in-your-mouth richness and helps bind the crust together.
• Eggs: Give structure to both the crust and the creamy filling, keeping everything perfectly thick and gooey.
• Cream cheese: Adds signature tang and creaminess to that famous “gooey” layer.
• Creamy peanut butter: Brings a salty-sweet depth that complements the chocolate base beautifully.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances every flavor and adds warmth to the filling.
• Powdered sugar: Melds into the filling for a lusciously smooth, melt-in-your-mouth sweetness.
• Mini chocolate chips (optional): These add fun bursts of chocolate throughout the creamy layer—totally optional but incredibly irresistible.

How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat the Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan, making sure you cover every corner so nothing sticks. A little parchment paper with overhanging edges can make it even easier to lift out the bars later (and saves on clean-up, too).

Step 2: Mix and Form the Chocolate Crust

In a medium bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, melted unsalted butter, and one large egg. Stir these together until you get a thick, smooth dough—it’ll look like brownie batter but a bit firmer. Press this evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan, making sure you get an even layer right out to the edges. This forms the deliciously dense and chocolatey base for your bars.

Step 3: Make the Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Filling

In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and creamy peanut butter together until they’re irresistibly smooth and creamy. Once mixed, add in the two remaining eggs and the vanilla extract, blending again until everything is well combined. Gradually add the powdered sugar, continuing to beat the mixture until light, thick, and satiny. For extra decadence, fold in the mini chocolate chips—this step is optional, but highly recommended for any chocolate lover!

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Pour your peanut butter cream cheese filling over the chocolate crust, spreading it evenly and all the way to the edges. Slide the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The bars are ready when the edges are set but the center is still slightly jiggly—trust the process and resist overbaking!

Step 5: Cool, Chill, and Slice

Let the bars cool completely in the baking pan (this part is crucial for clean slices). Once cooled, transfer the pan to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours. This helps the bars set up perfectly—making them sliceable but still gloriously ooey and gooey in the middle.

How to Serve Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars

Garnishes

Dress up each square with a shower of extra mini chocolate chips, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a delicate swirl of melted peanut butter on top. If you want to get even fancier, drizzle melted chocolate over the chilled bars just before serving.

Side Dishes

These bars shine on their own but pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a tall glass of ice-cold milk, or even a shot of strong espresso if you’re feeling grown-up. Each bite is extra dreamy alongside creamy or crisp textures on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, cut the Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars into fun shapes with cookie cutters, or serve them in cupcake liners for a bite-sized treat that’s easy to serve. Stack squares on a pretty platter and finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for a bakery-style touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap any leftover bars tightly in plastic wrap or keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh, soft, and irresistible for up to five days—if they’re not devoured before then!

Freezing

Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars freeze beautifully. Simply wrap each bar individually in plastic, then place them in a freezer-safe zip bag. They’ll keep their dreamy texture for up to two months—just thaw overnight in the fridge for a make-ahead dessert.

Reheating

If you prefer your bars just slightly warm (and extra gooey), pop a slice in the microwave for about 10 seconds. Careful not to overheat, as the center should be gooey but not runny, just like the original magic!

FAQs

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Absolutely! While chocolate makes these bars extra decadent, a yellow or fudge cake mix also works beautifully. You’ll get a slightly different flavor profile, but the famous ooey gooey texture remains the same.

What’s the best way to soften cream cheese quickly?

Unwrap your cream cheese and place it on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave in 10-second bursts until just soft—don’t overdo it! Alternatively, leave it on the counter for 45 minutes before you start baking.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes! Swap in your favorite gluten-free chocolate cake mix (same amount) and check that your other ingredients are certified gluten-free. The result will be just as rich, gooey, and delicious.

Do I have to chill the bars before serving?

Chilling is the secret to perfect slices! The bars hold their shape better and develop their signature creamy texture when fully chilled. That said, if you’re too eager, they’re just as tasty (if a bit messier) slightly warm.

How do I keep the bars from sticking to the pan?

Grease your pan generously and consider lining it with parchment paper for easy removal. Once cooled and chilled, you should be able to lift the bars out and slice them cleanly every time.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Bars enough—they’re that magical combination of comfort and pure indulgence, perfect for any occasion (or, honestly, just because). If you’re ready for big chocolate and peanut butter flavor with barely any effort, give these a try. Happy baking!

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