Chocolate Peanut Butter Gooey Cake Bars

If you need something to make your Monday better, look no further than these bars! 

Nathan and I helped with Bethlehem Revisited the last three days and I loved it as much as I did last year! 

(Bethlehem Revisited is a reenactment of the story of Jesus' birth.  There are a dozen different "stations" you go through, where you listen to different Bible characters and stories leading up to and after Jesus' birth.  We decided it really should be called Bethlehem, brr, and Beyond.  You are in a group with a  guide and you get to walk all through this farm, basically, with forests and barns, and a marketplace! :)  That's where I helped out.)

Last year's temperatures were really nice, like never below freezing.  This year, well, we got to stand outside for five hours in 20 degree weather.  Everyone had so many layers on!  Nathan let me borrow a pair of his over the knee wool socks.  Totally stylish and totally warm.  I fell in love with Hot Hands and fires, even though the smoke was pretty bad.  Poor Mom driving us home!  Honestly, Bethlehem Revisited is so much fun because of all the social time.  You get to hang out and talk with all these people!  And in the marketplace, you get to eat the warm cinnamon bread this kind lady makes every year (you're technically supposed to be selling it:) and you also get to yell at people, trying to sell your stuff.  It is super fun.

Guys, I am done with chapped faces.   Why is this necessary in order to have fun outside?  Why is it inevitable?  It is painful!  Putting lotion on that night and then the next morning - so much fun.  And I am done with being sick.  I went home after the last night of Bethlehem Revisited and just lay on the floor and was like, "Ok, whatever stomach, you don't want me to move?  Fine."  I offended my stomach sometime throughout the night and it decided to argue with me -  a lot.  I'm good now though!

Guys, I am NOT done with gooey bars!  And I'll never be done with chocolate and peanut butter.  The bars let both of those flavors shine and are rich and decadent to a "T."  They should be a necessity.  There is nothing painful about them (unless you count cardio ... pfft.)  You press a cake layer that, starts with a box mix, into a 9x13 pan and then sprinkle chocolate chips, peanuts, and peanut butter over the top.  This is really easy and the bars are thick and fudgy.  There is also bites of crunchy peanuts and smooth chocolate chips to balance out the rich smoothness of the peanut butter.

When you are spreading the second layer of cake mixture on top, I recommend dividing it into about 1/4 cup pieces of dough and flattening them out in your hand before putting them on top of the first layer of peanuts and chocolate chips.  This way, the second layer of cake mixture is more even.

Same with the peanut butter.  I recommend heating it up in the microwave for 15or more seconds, until runny.  Then, drop tablespoon amounts over the chocolate chips and peanut butter before spreading it out, so that it spreads more evenly. 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Gooey Cake Bars
Recipe Source: Kraft
Yield: 36 servings

1 box (double layer) fudge cake mix
1 box (3.9 oz.)  chocolate pudding mix
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup milk
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup dry roasted peanuts (I used party peanuts)
1 cup peanut butter

Preheat oven to 350.

Mix cake mix, pudding mix, butter and milk together until combined.  Mixture will be thick.  Spread 1/2 of cake mixture into a greased 9x13 pan.  Spread out until the thickness is even.  Sprinkle 1/2 cup chocolate chips, and 1/2 cup peanuts over first cake mix layer.  Spread 1/2 cup peanut butter over peanuts and chocolate chips.  Repeat layers with remaining ingredients.  Bake for 15-20 minutes.  Let cool for one hour and then refrigerate for four hours before serving.

Notes:
When you are spreading the second layer of cake mixture on top, I recommend dividing it into about 1/4 cup pieces of dough and flattening them out in your hand before putting them on top of the first layer of peanuts and chocolate chips.  This way, the second layer of cake mixture is more even.

Same with the peanut butter.  I recommend heating it up in the microwave for 15or more seconds, until runny.  Then, drop tablespoon amounts over the chocolate chips and peanut butter before spreading it out, so that it spreads more evenly.

Related Recipes:

Mint n' Oreo Chocolate Chip Chess Squares

Double Fudge Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

Buckeye Hand Pies

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake





Peanut Butter Snickers S'mores Cheesecake Bars {Gluten Free!}

Did you read that whole title?  Maybe we should go over it again:

Peanut butter

Snickers. 

S'mores. 

Cheesecake. 

Bars.

Okay, I really can't look at these pictures much longer. I'm craving another batch. 

I made these at Chloe's house during a baking day.  If you haven't checked out her pretzels DO IT RIGHT NOW. They are so good and the recipe is foolproof. While she made pretzels, I was making this. At one pint, she looked at me and giggled. "Do you know what you are doing?"

Uh no!  I was making this up on the fly!  And you know what?  This is one of my favorite on the fly creations to date.  Since I can't think of a creative way to tell you all the reasons this is incredible, I'll just make a list. 

1. The peanut butter cookie dough gives a firm base to this dessert and packs a powerful punch if peanut butter. (Say that five times fast!). Only five ingredients and a breeze to whip up. 

2.  The chocolate cheesecake is so creamy, but not very thick so it doesn't overpower the other flavors. The smooth texture contrasts the next layers wonderfully. 

3.  The peanut butter caramel sauce!  Oh my goodness, THIS was my favorite part of these bars. Very thick and smooth and did I mention peanut butter!?!?  Make this. It is so good. 

4. The peanuts and marshmallows. These are simple to sprinkle on top and they add so much. The peanuts add crunch and some color and the marshmallows add a sticky sweetness unique to them and s'mores flavor.

It truly is a texture and flavor party. One where everyone knows the steps to the dance! :)  And although it may sound complicated, it really isn't. You may be washing more than one bowl, but it comes together relatively fast and is completely worth it. I mean, just look at it!

Geez, I told you all I can't look at these without wanting one. You probably want the recipe now, don't you.  

Before I give it to you, I want to tell you one more thing about this recipe: it is gluten free!

It wasn't planned that way and I am not gluten free, but for all who are, you can eat these bars!  I have gluten free friends and I'm never sure what to bring (I'm sure they get tired about the 5 ingredient on cookies that make up the base!) but now I do!  Talk about a really pleasant surprise!

Peanut Butter Snickers S'Mores Cheescake Bars {Gluten Free!}

Recipe Source: The Sweet {Tooth} Life

Yield: 12-16 servings

Peanut Butter Cookie Layer

1/2 cup peanut butter 

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 egg white

1 teaspoon baking soda 

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt 

Chocolate Cheesecake

8 oz.low far cream cheese

1/3 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1/3 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Peanut Butter Caramel Sauce 

1/3 cup sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch 

2/3 cup 2% milk

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon peanut butter 

Toppings:

1-1/2 cups mini marshmallows

3/4 cup plain peanuts    

1. Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease 9x9 pan. 

2. For cookie dough: stir peanut butter and sugar together. Beat in egg and vanilla for a minute, until smooth and combined. Stir in baking soda and salt. Press into pan and place in refrigerator. 

3. For cheesecake: Bear cream cheese, sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla for 1-2 minutes, or until smooth and creamy. Spread over cookie dough. 

4. Bake pan with cookie dough and cheesecake for 25-30 minutes. 

5. While the cheesecake is baking, make the caramel sauce. Combine sugar and cornstarch in a small pan and whisk milk into the sugar and cornstarch until smooth. Cook on medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly, or until caramel reaches desired consistency. Remove from heat and stir vanilla, salt, and peanut butter. Set aside. 

6. Sprinkle mini marshmallows and peanuts over cheesecake and drizzle caramel sauce (you may need to heat it in the microwave for a couple seconds) over marshmallows and peanuts. Broil for 2-3 minutes or until marshmallows are puffed and melty. 

7. Let cool and then refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. Store leftovers in refrigerator. 

If your family doesn't want marshmallows, feel free to bake through step 5 and just drizzle the caramel on the bars as pictured above!  Enjoy!

Want more s'mores?  Marshmallow Cheesecake Swirled S'mores Brownies!

Or try these Snicker's Birthday Cookies!  Stuffed with peanuts, chocolate chips, and caramel, they have the flavors of a Snickers without an actual Snickers.  The caramel keeps this INCREDIBLY soft!

More peanut butter?  Just check out this post!