Get ready to experience a mouthwatering explosion of flavors that will make your taste buds dance with pure joy! These Fudgy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars are not just a dessert; they're a divine culinary creation that combines the rich, deep notes of chocolate with the creamy, irresistible smoothness of peanut butter. Whether you're a chocolate lover, a peanut butter fanatic, or simply someone who craves an indulgent treat, these bars are guaranteed to become your new obsession. Imagine sinking your teeth into a dense, fudgy square that's both decadent and surprisingly easy to make – this recipe is about to become your secret weapon for instant dessert happiness!
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing excess paper to hang over the sides for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine melted butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and salt. This helps remove any lumps and ensures even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until a thick, consistent batter forms. The texture should be dense and slightly sticky.
- Fold in half of the chocolate chips into the batter, reserving the remaining chips for topping.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top of the batter.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. The bars are done when the edges start to pull away from the sides and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan for about 1 hour. The bars will continue to set as they cool.
- Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan, then cut into 16 equal squares using a sharp knife.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness.
Tips
- For the most luxurious texture, use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing.
- Sifting your dry ingredients is crucial – it prevents lumps and creates a more uniform batter.
- Don't overbake! The key to fudgy bars is removing them from the oven when the edges are set but the center is still slightly soft.
- Use high-quality cocoa powder and chocolate chips for the most intense flavor.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting to ensure clean, neat squares.
- For an extra indulgent touch, sprinkle some sea salt on top before baking to enhance the chocolate and peanut butter flavors.
- These bars freeze beautifully – wrap them individually for a make-ahead dessert that's perfect for quick treats.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 19g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 25mg
