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Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars Recipe
If you’re a fan of the classic chocolate and peanut butter combination, these Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars are about to become one of your favorite easy dessert recipes. Made with just five simple ingredients, these rich and chewy bars feature a chocolate cake mix crust topped with a gooey, creamy peanut butter and sweetened condensed milk filling.
Whether you’re looking for a quick dessert for a potluck, bake sale, family gathering, or simply a sweet treat to enjoy at home, these bars come together in minutes and always disappear fast.
Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
- Only 5 simple ingredients
- Easy to make with minimal prep
- Rich chocolate and peanut butter flavor
- Perfect for parties, holidays, and bake sales
- Great make-ahead dessert
- Family-friendly recipe everyone loves
Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars Ingredients
- 1 package chocolate cake mix (Dry)
- ½ cup butter (1 stick), softened
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup peanut butter
How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Spray the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
Step 2: Make the Chocolate Crust
In a large bowl, stir together the chocolate cake mix, softened butter, and beaten egg until a crumbly dough forms.
Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Step 3: Make the Peanut Butter Topping
In a separate bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter. Stir until smooth and well blended.
Spread the peanut butter mixture evenly over the chocolate crust.
Step 4: Bake
Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are set.
Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into squares.
Tips for the Best Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Use Regular Peanut Butter
Traditional creamy peanut butter works best for a smooth filling. Natural peanut butter may separate and affect the texture.
Let Them Cool Completely
The filling continues to set as the bars cool. Refrigerating before cutting helps create cleaner slices.
Line the Pan for Easy Removal
For easy removal, line your baking dish with parchment paper and leave some overhang for easy lifting.
Variations
Add Chocolate Chips
Sprinkle chocolate chips over the peanut butter layer before baking for even more chocolate flavor.
Peanut Butter Cup Bars
Chop mini peanut butter cups and scatter them over the filling before baking.
Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Use a devil’s food cake mix for an even richer chocolate flavor.
Crunchy Peanut Butter Bars
Substitute crunchy peanut butter for added texture and crunch.
Storage
Because the filling contains sweetened condensed milk, refrigeration is recommended.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.
These bars can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Yes. While chocolate cake mix creates the classic flavor combination, devil’s food, fudge, or even yellow cake mix can be used.
Can I use natural peanut butter?
Regular creamy peanut butter is recommended because it blends more smoothly with the sweetened condensed milk.
Can I freeze Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars?
Absolutely. Wrap individual bars or the entire pan tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
Why did my bars seem soft after baking?
The peanut butter topping will be extra soft when first removed from the oven. It firms up slightly as the bars cool, but will remain gooey.
What to Serve with Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
These rich dessert bars pair perfectly with:
- A cold glass of milk
- Fresh coffee
- Hot chocolate
- Vanilla ice cream
These Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars are proof that simple ingredients can create an unforgettable dessert. The rich chocolate crust combined with the gooey, creamy peanut butter topping makes every bite irresistible. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply satisfying a sweet tooth, this easy recipe is guaranteed to become a family favorite.
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Ingredients
Chocolate Crust
- 1 pkg chocolate cake mix (dry)
- ½ cup butter (1 stick) softened
- 1 large egg (beaten)
Gooey Peanut Butter Topping
- 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup peanut butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. Spray the bottom of a 9" x 13" baking dish with nonstick spray or line it with parchment paper.
- Stir together dry cake mix, butter, and beaten egg. Press the crumbly dough evenly onto the bottom of the prepared 9"x 13" baking dish.
- Mix the can of sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter together. Spread it over the cake mix layer.
- Bake for 22 to 25 minutes. Cool completely, and cut into squares.
Nutrition
- Includes two 40 oz. jars of SKIPPY Creamy Peanut Butter Spread
- With nutritious foods like whole grain bread, fruit and milk, SKIPPY smooth peanut butter helps restore energy and leaves you feeling charged
- Real roasted peanuts with no added preservatives, free from artificial flavors or colors, certified Kosher, gluten-free and tree nut-free; it's a great addition to your pantry food items
- Smooth, Naturally: Our peanut butter spreads have no preservatives, artificial flavors or colors; try them on crackers, in sandwiches, with lunch foods like apples or celery or just enjoy a rich spoonful for a tasty snack
- Wholesome and Delicious: We've been spreading tasty fun since 1933; the ways to enjoy SKIPPY peanut butter creamy spread are endless, so when you’re craving an easy, satisfying snack, there’s only one thing to do: Go To Your SKIPPY Place
- Spread on the smiles with tasty, creamy, smooth peanut butter perfection; it’s nothing but great snacking with this creamy classic
- Real Roasted Peanuts: This gluten-free, certified kosher, tree nut-free peanut butter is made with real roasted peanuts and no added preservatives; it spreads easily with no separation or oily mess, making it a great addition to your pantry staples
- Smooth & creamy: Our peanut butters have no preservatives, artificial flavors or colors similar to other peanut butters; try them on crackers, in sandwiches, or with lunch foods like fruits and veggies to make snacking delicious for the whole family
- Try Them All: Nothing beats the simple pleasures in life, like a spoon and a fresh jar of SKIPPY Peanut Butter; try one of our many to go sizes and varieties: Squeeze, Added Protein Peanut Butter, No Sugar Added Peanut Butter, and many more
- Delicious and full of flavor: Our gluten-free peanut butters have 7g of protein per serving and are great pantry food items
- SUPREMELY CHOCOLATEY: There's pudding in the mix to give the cake a rich, decadent flavor and texture; It's easy to create this indulgent chocolate fudge treat
- QUICK AND EASY: Just add a few simple ingredients as directed and pop in the oven; A convenient time saver in the kitchen
- ENDLESS OPTIONS: Add your own twist to our cake mixes by using as a cupcake mix, trying trusted Betty Crocker recipes, or topping with a different Betty Crocker Frosting every time
- CELEBRATION STARTS WITH CAKE: Spark some joy on special occasions, from birthday parties to seasonal family gatherings; Bake a triple chocolate fudge cake dessert to bring smiles to any special occasion, or make one just because
- CONTAINS: One 13.25 oz box of Betty Crocker Delights Super Moist Triple Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix; Makes one cake or 24 cupcakes
- RICH CHOCOLATE FLAVOR: It's easy to create this indulgent devil's food cake dessert with rich chocolate flavor and moist texture using America's #1 cake mix brand (based on 52 weeks of Nielsen sales data for dry cake mixes ending 1/10/26)
- QUICK AND EASY: Just add a few simple ingredients as directed and pop in the oven; A convenient time saver in the kitchen
- ENDLESS OPTIONS: Add your own twist to our cake mixes by using as a cupcake mix, trying trusted Betty Crocker recipes, or topping with a different Betty Crocker frosting every time
- CELEBRATION STARTS WITH CAKE: Spark some joy on special occasions, from birthday parties to seasonal family gatherings; Bake a devil's food cake dessert to bring smiles to any special occasion, or make one just because
- CONTAINS: One 13.25 oz box of Betty Crocker Favorites Super Moist Devil's Food Cake Mix; Makes one cake or 24 cupcakes
- Package Includes: One (1) Reynolds Kitchens Unbleached Parchment Paper Roll measuring 45 feet long by 12 inches wide (45 square feet total)
- Easy and Quick Cleanup: The 12-inch wide baking parchment paper easily lines most sheet pans and cookie sheets for easy clean-up
- Unbleached and Chlorine-Free: This unbleached parchment paper is made with 75% unbleached fibers and 0% chlorine bleaching
- Dependable, Non-Stick, and Versatile: Reynolds parchment paper can be used for cooking, baking, and in the microwave, and is oven-safe up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
- Quality Parchment Paper: Reynolds parchment paper is your go-to solution for easy cooking and clean-up
- Parchment 90 Square feet Paper
- This package contains Amazon Basics parchment paper, 24 yards x 15 inches each roll
- Fits most baking pans: 15-inch width fits perfectly into most standard baking pans
- FSC-CERTIFIED BAKING PAPER (FSC N004130): Made with materials from well-managed forests, recycled materials, and/or other controlled wood sources
- Oven Safe to 425 degrees & NON-STICK: Cooking paper withstands 425 high oven temperatures and prevents food from sticking to the pan
- EAGLE BRAND SWEETENED CONDENSED CANNED MILK: 14 ounces of rich and creamy sweetness used best for baking, cooking, beverages, dessert and more.
- RICH AND CREAMY FLAVOR: Perfect for all your favorite dessert recipes including fudge, cheesecake, cookies, magic bars, and all your favorite sweet treats to add in the perfect amount of sweet, creamy flavor to your cooking
- REAL SEAL CERTIFIED: Gluten-Free and Kosher-Dairy
- 100% REAL MILK: Eagle Brand creamy sweetened condensed milk uses 100% fluid milk from cows on farms in the USA that are not treated with rBST hormones and contains no artificial for the best results.
- 160+ YEARS: Eagle Brand brings over 160+ years of experience with the flavor and quality trusted by bakers for generations. It’s the secret ingredient to creating new traditions to share with loved ones.
