Peanut Butter Fudge Bars
The ultimate indulgence, Peanut Butter Fudge Bars combine creamy peanut butter with rich chocolate and a buttery cake base. Perfect for sharing or enjoying alone, they’re an easy dessert that satisfies any craving. Don’t wait—try making these today!
Equipment
- Wooden Spoon
- Mixing Bowl
- Frying Pan
- Chef's Knife
- Blender
- Baking Sheet
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick) + 2 tablespoons, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- First, preheat your oven to 350℉. This step is crucial as it ensures that the bars cook evenly. A properly preheated oven will help achieve that golden color we all love.
- In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, creamy peanut butter, ½ cup of the melted butter, and eggs. Stir until the mixture is well blended. It should have a thick and slightly sticky consistency. Don’t worry if it seems a bit crumbly at first; keep mixing until it comes together!
- Next, take about ⅔ of this mixture and press it firmly into a 9x13-inch ungreased pan. This forms the crust for your bars. Make sure it’s spread evenly across the bottom of the pan to ensure consistent baking.
- In a separate bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, 2 tablespoons of melted butter, vanilla, and salt. Mix well until it's smooth and creamy. This mixture will serve as a delicious filling.
- Now, stir in the chocolate chips, coconut, and chopped nuts into the condensed milk mixture. This step adds texture and flavor to the filling. The chocolate chips should be evenly distributed throughout the mixture for that perfect bite.
- Spread this delicious mixture evenly over the pressed cake mix layer in the pan. It’s important to cover it completely to allow the flavors to meld beautifully during baking.
- Finally, crumble the reserved dough over the top of the filling. This will create a lovely texture and add a nice crunch to the bars once baked.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until the top turns golden brown. Keep an eye on them as they bake; you want that beautiful golden hue!
- Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for at least a couple of hours. This waiting period is essential as the bars will set as they cool, making it easier to cut them into squares.
- Finally, slice the bars into squares and store them in a sealed container. They can be kept at room temperature for up to three days, or in the freezer for up to three months if you’d like to save some for later.
Notes
- Tip 1: To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to three months.
- Tip 2: These bars freeze wonderfully! Just make sure they’re wrapped well to avoid freezer burn.
- Tip 3: Serve warm bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
- Tip 4: You can substitute the walnuts or pecans with your favorite nuts or even seeds for a nut-free version.
- Tip 5: Feel free to include other mix-ins like dried fruit or peanut butter chips for added flavor.