Name: Gooey Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup (115 g / 4 ounces) unsalted butter, melted; ½ cup (120 g / 4.2 ounces) creamy peanut butter; 1 cup (200 g / 7 ounces) sugar (¾ cup brown sugar + ¼ cup granulated sugar); 1 ¼ cups (160 g / 5.6 ounces) all-purpose flour; 1 egg; 1 egg yolk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon baking powder; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 cup (180 g / 6.3 ounces) chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate); ½ cup (75 g / 2.6 ounces) peanut butter chips (optional, for extra peanut butter flavor)

Soft, decadent peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bars promise pure indulgence for anyone seeking a sweet escape.

Chocolate lovers recognize these treats as magical comfort food that melts in your mouth.

Rich layers of buttery dough intermingle with smooth chocolate chips and creamy peanut butter swirls.

Each bite feels like a warm hug from your favorite bakery.

Weeknight desserts rarely come more satisfying than these delightful bars.

Crisp edges and gooey centers create a perfect textural symphony that beckons you closer.

These irresistible bars will make you the star of any gathering.

Baking Base:

All-Purpose Flour: Essential for structure and texture of the cookie bars, choose unbleached for better flavor.
Baking Powder: Helps the bars rise and become light, fresh powder ensures maximum lift.

Fats and Binding:

Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a tender texture, best when melted.
Peanut Butter: Adds intense nutty flavor and moisture, smooth variety works best for consistent texture.
Egg, Egg Yolk: Binds ingredients together and adds richness, room temperature eggs mix more easily.

Sweet and Flavor Enhancers:

Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Contribute sweetness and help create chewy texture, light brown sugar recommended.
Vanilla Extract: Boosts overall flavor complexity, pure extract offers the best taste.
Chocolate Chips, Peanut Butter Chips: Create delicious pockets of melted chocolate and peanut butter, semi-sweet chips work well.

Optional Finishing Touches:

Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Prepare your baking adventure by setting the oven to a cozy 350F (175C). Grab a 9-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over the sides. This little trick will make removing your heavenly bars super easy later!

Step 2: Create the Magical Dough

Grab a large mixing bowl and get ready for some delicious magic:

Melted butter
Creamy peanut butter
Brown sugar
Granulated sugar

Whisk these ingredients together until they become a smooth, dreamy mixture. Now add:

One whole egg
An extra egg yolk
Splash of vanilla extract

Mix everything until it’s perfectly combined. Sprinkle in:

All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Pinch of salt

Stir gently, being careful not to overmix. Finally, fold in a handful of:

Chocolate chips
Peanut butter chips

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Spread the dough evenly across your prepared pan. Slide it into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for golden edges with a center that’s still soft and irresistibly gooey. Once done, let the bars cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then use those handy parchment paper edges to lift out your creation and slice into mouth-watering squares.

Tip: These bars are best enjoyed warm with a cold glass of milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Customize Chip Combinations: Experiment with different chocolate chip varieties like milk, dark, or white chocolate to create unique flavor profiles that suit your taste preferences.
Prevent Overbaking Trick: Watch the bars closely during the last few minutes of baking, removing them when the edges look set but the center remains slightly soft to guarantee that signature gooey texture.
Storage Secret: Keep these bars fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer preservation without losing their delicious softness.
Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with a quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these bars accessible for those with gluten sensitivities.
Nutty Variation: Enhance the peanut butter flavor by sprinkling chopped peanuts on top of the batter before baking for extra crunch and nutty intensity.

Savor Effortless Baking: These cookie bars require minimal prep and basic ingredients, making them perfect for bakers of all skill levels, from novice to experienced.
Indulge in Quick Comfort: Whip up these delectable bars in under 45 minutes, providing a speedy solution for sudden dessert cravings or last-minute sweet treats.
Create Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: The irresistible combination of peanut butter and chocolate chips makes these bars a guaranteed hit at family gatherings, potlucks, and casual celebrations.
Enjoy Versatile Snacking: Perfect as an after-school treat, weekend dessert, or midnight snack, these gooey bars satisfy sweet tooths at any time of day.

Seal freshly baked cookie bars in an airtight container to maintain their incredible softness and rich flavor.
Keep them at room temperature for up to 5 days, ensuring each bite remains deliciously moist.
Refrigerate the bars if you want to extend their shelf life to about a week, but bring them back to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.
For longer storage, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months – perfect for future sweet cravings or unexpected dessert emergencies.

Brew Creamy Milk Pairing: Complement the rich, gooey cookie bars with a cold glass of whole milk, whose smooth texture and subtle sweetness perfectly balance the intense chocolate and peanut butter flavors.
Sip Bold Espresso Match: Serve alongside a shot of espresso or cappuccino, where the robust coffee notes cut through the sweetness and enhance the deep chocolate undertones of the bars.
Scoop Vanilla Ice Cream Combo: Top warm cookie bars with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, creating a decadent dessert experience where cold meets warm and creamy meets chewy.
Blend Chocolate Milkshake Companion: Elevate the indulgence with a thick chocolate milkshake, whose rich chocolate base echoes the cookie bars' chocolate chips and provides a cool, refreshing contrast.

Nutty Almond Bliss: Swap peanut butter for almond butter and add chopped almonds for extra crunch and nutty flavor.
Chocolate Chunk Classic: Replace chocolate chips with large dark chocolate chunks for a more intense chocolate experience.
Salted Caramel Dream: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce over the bars and sprinkle sea salt on top for a sweet-salty combination.
Rocky Road Remix: Mix in mini marshmallows and chopped walnuts with the chocolate chips for a decadent, textured treat.

What makes these cookie bars extra gooey?

The secret is using melted butter and not overbaking. Removing the bars when the edges are set but the center is still soft ensures that signature gooey texture everyone loves.

Can I use natural peanut butter for this recipe?

Stick with traditional creamy peanut butter like Jif or Skippy. Natural peanut butter has different oil content and might make the bars too greasy or dry.

How do I know when the bars are perfectly baked?

Look for golden brown edges and a slightly soft center. They’ll continue cooking a bit after removing from the oven, so don’t worry if the middle seems underdone. A toothpick inserted should have a few moist crumbs.

What if I want to make these gluten-free?

Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Make sure to choose a blend that includes xanthan gum for best texture and structure.

Emily Morgan

Food Critic & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Global Food Exploration & Critique, Simple Kitchen Hacks & Time-Saving Tips, Presentation & Plating Techniques, Culinary Research & Storytelling.

Education

New York University

Program: Bachelor’s in Journalism
Focus: Combined foundational journalism training with deep dives into global food traditions, restaurant criticism, and the cultural role of cuisine.

Emily Morgan has journeyed across the globe, collecting culinary secrets that turn everyday ingredients into impressive meals.

Based in Seattle and armed with a Journalism degree from NYU, she blends thorough research with a flair for presentation, ensuring every dish looks just as good as it tastes.

Focusing on fresh flavors, simple methods, and a bit of fun, Emily shows home cooks how to elevate their daily cooking without fancy gadgets or complex steps.