Description
Fudge-Filled Peanut Butter Cake Bars are a decadent dessert featuring a rich peanut butter cake layered with creamy fudge. These bars offer a perfect balance of sweet chocolate and nutty peanut butter flavors, baked to a golden perfection. Ideal for parties, snacks, or dessert cravings, they deliver a delightful combination of moist cake texture and luscious fudge filling.
Ingredients
Scale
Peanut Butter Cake Dough
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Fudge Filling
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together the peanut butter, ½ cup softened unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring all ingredients are well combined.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, then mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth and uniform.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning elements.
- Make Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring carefully until a soft dough forms, avoiding overmixing for a tender texture.
- Form Base Layer: Press two-thirds of the peanut butter dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, creating an even layer for the base.
- Create Fudge Filling: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter. Stir continuously until the chocolate melts completely and the mixture is smooth.
- Finish Fudge: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in ½ teaspoon vanilla extract to enhance flavor.
- Assemble Bars: Pour the fudge mixture evenly over the peanut butter dough layer in the pan. Then, drop small spoonfuls of the remaining peanut butter dough over the fudge layer to create a marbled effect.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top turns golden and the center is set, indicating the bars are fully cooked.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, cut into 24 bars and serve.
Notes
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
- For added texture and crunch, mix ½ cup chopped peanuts into the dough or sprinkle them on top before baking.
