Introduction
These bars are a decadent mashup of a soft peanut butter cookie and rich, creamy cheesecake. The pockets of melted peanut butter chocolate from the DelightFulls make every bite an indulgent surprise. You get the best of both worlds in one perfectly portable dessert.
Prep & Cook Time
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter (room temperature)
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 9 ounces Nestle Peanut Butter DelightFulls
- 8 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal, and lightly grease.
- In a large bowl, cream together the room temperature butter, 1 cup peanut butter, 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, and the first 1/2 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the first egg and the first teaspoon of vanilla until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the peanut butter mixture, mixing on low speed just until a soft cookie dough forms.
- Gently fold the 9 ounces of Peanut Butter DelightFulls into the cookie dough.
- Set aside about 2 cups of the cookie dough for the topping. Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, beat the room temperature cream cheese with the second 1/4 cup of granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Beat in the second egg and the second teaspoon of vanilla until just combined.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cookie dough base in the pan, spreading it into an even layer.
- Take the reserved cookie dough and crumble or dollop it evenly over the top of the cream cheese layer.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set (it may still have a slight jiggle that will firm up as it cools).
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack. For cleanest cuts, chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before using the parchment paper to lift the entire slab out. Cut into 8 large or 16 smaller bars.
Variations
- Mini Bar Bites: Bake the mixture in a greased mini muffin tin for easy, single-serving cheesecake bites.
- Marble Swirl: Instead of a full top layer, drop small spoonfuls of the reserved dough onto the cream cheese and use a knife to gently swirl it into a marbled pattern before baking.
- Ice Cream Sundae Style: Serve a warm bar (gently reheated) topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
- Frozen Treat: Wrap individual cooled bars tightly and freeze them for a fantastic frozen dessert that tastes like peanut butter chocolate chip ice cream.
Tips for Success
- Ensure both your butter and cream cheese are truly at room temperature for a smooth, lump-free batter and filling.
- When measuring flour, fluff it in the container, spoon it into your measuring cup, and level it off with a knife for accuracy.
- Don’t overmix the cookie dough once the flour is added; mix just until combined to avoid tough bars.
- For the neatest, crumble-free slices, use a sharp knife cleaned with hot water between each cut.
Storage & Reheating
Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze individually wrapped bars for up to 2 months. To reheat, warm a refrigerated bar in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to slightly soften the cookie layers.
FAQ
Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
Yes, you can substitute crunchy peanut butter for the creamy variety if you want an added texture, though it will change the consistency of the base layer slightly.
My cream cheese filling cracked. What happened?
Cracking can happen from overbaking or a sudden temperature change. Make sure to bake just until set, and allow the bars to cool gradually in the pan on the counter before refrigerating.
Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of DelightFulls?
The recipe is formulated for the specific texture and filling of Peanut Butter DelightFulls. Regular chocolate chips will work but will not provide the same gooey peanut butter center.
Why do I need to chill the bars before cutting?
Chilling firms up the cream cheese layer and the chocolate pieces, allowing you to get clean, sharp cuts without the bars falling apart or smearing.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour to make this recipe gluten-free.