The Ultimate Fudge Filled Peanut Butter Cake Bars Recipe

Decadent peanut butter cake bars promise a delightful twist on classic dessert indulgences.

Sweet layers of creamy richness await your taste buds.

Chocolate fudge weaves through soft, tender cake with luxurious charm.

Nutty undertones complement the rich, velvety filling perfectly.

Each bite delivers a symphony of textures that dance across your palate.

Baking enthusiasts and chocolate lovers will adore this simple yet spectacular treat.

Come explore a recipe that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dessert experience.

Fudge-Filled Peanut Butter Cake Bars You’ll Crave

• Conquer Dessert Complexity: Surprisingly simple recipe that looks like a gourmet bakery creation, with minimal technical skills required.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allowing personal touches like extra peanut butter drizzle or variations in chocolate intensity, making it adaptable for different taste preferences.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, and impromptu dessert cravings, delivering maximum deliciousness with minimal preparation time.
• Indulgent Flavor Combination: Combines rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter in a decadent layered bar that satisfies multiple dessert cravings in one bite.

Ingredients You Need For Fudge-Filled Peanut Butter Cake Bars

• Cake Mix: A convenient base that provides structure and sweetness to the dessert bars.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the cake layer.
• Butter (Melted): Adds richness and helps create a tender texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cake.
• Peanut Butter: Brings a rich, nutty flavor and creamy consistency to the cake layer.

• Chocolate Chips: Create a smooth, rich chocolate base for the fudge layer.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Provides sweetness and helps create a creamy fudge texture.
• Butter: Adds smoothness and helps melt the chocolate chips.

• Peanut Butter (Optional Drizzle): Adds an extra layer of peanut flavor and creates a decorative finish.

How To Create Fudge-Filled Peanut Butter Cake Bars

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Grab your 9×13 inch baking pan and line it completely with nonstick foil. Preheat the oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready for baking.

Step 2: Create First Cake Layer

• Cake mix
• Eggs
• Melted butter
• Vanilla extract
• Peanut butter

Whisk everything together until the batter looks smooth and creamy. Pour exactly half of this delightful mixture into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

Step 3: Craft Decadent Fudge Layer

• Chocolate chips
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Butter

Zap in the microwave, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate transforms into a silky, glossy mixture. Gently pour this luscious fudge over the first cake layer.

Step 4: Add Final Cake Topping

Dollop the remaining cake batter across the fudge layer. Use a spatula to spread it as evenly as possible, creating a beautiful marbled effect.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges start pulling away from the pan’s sides. This signals your bars are ready to come out.

Step 6: Cool and Finish

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle some melted peanut butter on top before serving.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Cut into generous squares and watch everyone’s eyes light up with excitement. These bars are perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself!

Pro Tips For Fudge-Filled Peanut Butter Cake Bars

• Spread Batter Carefully: Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to evenly distribute the cake batter, ensuring consistent layers and preventing uneven baking.
• Check Doneness Smartly: Insert a toothpick near the edge of the pan to test for doneness; it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely wet or totally dry.
• Prevent Burning Edges: If the edges start browning too quickly, cover the pan loosely with aluminum foil to protect from over-browning while allowing the center to cook.
• Cool Completely: Let the bars cool entirely in the pan before cutting to help them set and prevent crumbling, which helps achieve clean, neat slices.

Tasty Variations For Fudge-Filled Peanut Butter Cake Bars

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars: Replace regular cake mix with gluten-free cake mix and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Chocolate Fudge Bars: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use dairy-free chocolate chips, replace butter with coconut oil, and select plant-based sweetened condensed milk alternative.
• Low-Sugar Nutty Chocolate Bars: Use sugar-free cake mix, replace sweetened condensed milk with a sugar-free version, and incorporate almond flour for added nutrition and reduced sugar content.

Pairings That Match Fudge-Filled Peanut Butter Cake Bars

• Indulgent Milk Pairing: Creamy, cold whole milk balances the rich, decadent chocolate and peanut butter flavors perfectly. The smooth dairy helps cut through the intense sweetness and provides a refreshing contrast.
• Complementary Coffee Match: Bold espresso or dark roast coffee creates a luxurious flavor combination. The robust coffee notes enhance the deep chocolate undertones and peanut butter richness.
• Dessert Wine Companion: Sweet dessert wines like port or moscato beautifully highlight the cake bars' complex flavor profile. These wines bring out the chocolate's depth while matching the dessert's sweet intensity.
• Vanilla Ice Cream Topping: Smooth vanilla ice cream adds a cool, creamy element that elevates the warm, gooey cake bars. The classic vanilla complements the chocolate and peanut butter without overwhelming the original dessert flavors.

Storage Hacks For Fudge-Filled Peanut Butter Cake Bars

• Store cooled bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap each layer individually with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent flavor mixing.
• Place bars in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm in microwave for 10-15 seconds on medium power. Check temperature to avoid overheating and maintain the soft, gooey texture.
• Let refrigerated bars sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to soften and enhance flavor profile.

Fudge-Filled Peanut Butter Cake Bars FAQs

• Are the ingredients easy to find?

Most ingredients like cake mix, chocolate chips, and peanut butter are common pantry staples available in regular grocery stores.

• Can I use a different type of cake mix?

Yes, yellow or white cake mix works great as an alternative to vanilla cake mix for this recipe.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! Kids will love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, and the recipe is simple enough for older children to help prepare.

• Do I need any special baking equipment?

Just a 9×13 inch baking pan, microwave-safe bowl, mixing bowl, and standard measuring tools are required.

Fudge Filled Peanut Butter Cake Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sinful “fudge filled peanut butter cake bars” deliver pure indulgence with rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter layers. Sweet comfort meets decadent dessert magic, promising delightful moments of pure bliss for chocolate and peanut butter enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 yellow cake mix box
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) peanut butter
• 2 eggs

Cake Base Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (120 ml) melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Fudge Filling Ingredients:

• 2 cups (340 grams) chocolate chips
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) butter

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan by lining it with nonstick foil, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Create the initial cake foundation by blending cake mix, eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, and peanut butter in a large mixing bowl until the mixture achieves a uniform, silky consistency.
3. Carefully distribute half of the cake batter across the prepared pan, using a spatula to establish an even, smooth layer that reaches all corners.
4. Construct the decadent fudge layer by combining chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter in a microwave-safe bowl, heating until completely melted and perfectly smooth, stirring intermittently.
5. Gently cascade the molten fudge mixture over the initial cake layer, ensuring an uniform coverage that creates a rich, chocolate blanket.
6. Delicately spoon the remaining cake batter across the fudge layer, using gentle spreading techniques to create a marbled, textured surface.
7. Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 22-27 minutes, watching for edges that begin to pull away from the pan’s sides and indicate optimal doneness.
8. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, which helps set the layers and intensify flavors.
9. Optional: Enhance the dessert by drizzling additional melted peanut butter across the top before serving, creating an extra layer of indulgence.

Notes

• Replace cake mix with gluten-free alternative for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals to make the recipe more inclusive.
• Use dark chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate for lower sugar content and richer flavor profile.
• Allow fudge layer to cool slightly before pouring to prevent potential separation or uneven distribution in the cake bars.
• Ensure even spreading of cake batter layers to create consistent texture and prevent dry or undercooked sections.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 460 kcal
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg