Step into a delightful memory lane with these utterly irresistible Peanut Butter Fudge Bars. A true vintage gem from the 70s, this recipe effortlessly marries the convenience of a boxed cake mix with the rich, homemade goodness of a decadent fudge filling and a delightful peanut butter twist. They are not just bars; they are a nostalgic journey back to simpler times, promising a taste that has captivated hearts for decades. Perfect for bake sales, family gatherings, or simply a comforting treat at home, these bars are a testament to the timeless appeal of classic, easy-to-make desserts.
Grandma Betty’s Treasured Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar Recipe
Every family has those cherished recipes that get passed down through generations, often found tucked away in handwritten cookbooks, stained with flour and love. This particular recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Bars hails from my Grandma Betty’s collection, and it’s a shining example of such a treasure. While I’ve previously shared another one of her hits, like the Blueberry Chill Bars, these Peanut Butter Fudge Bars hold a special place, primarily because they were a huge favorite of my Grandpa’s back in the 1970s. The fact that they’ve remained a beloved dessert for so long speaks volumes about their incredible flavor and the joy they bring.
What makes this recipe even more intriguing is its origin within Grandma Betty’s collection. It wasn’t written in her distinctive handwriting but rather found on a separate slip of paper, carefully placed within the pages of her well-worn cookbook. This suggests that the recipe might have been shared by a dear friend, a culinary secret exchanged and then lovingly preserved. As any home baker knows, recipes from friends often turn out to be the most delightful and reliable, carrying with them a story and a hint of shared camaraderie. This personal touch only adds to the charm of these bars, making them feel like a piece of culinary history.
Why These Peanut Butter Fudge Bars Are a Must-Try
Beyond their nostalgic appeal, these bars are genuinely spectacular for several reasons. First, their ease of preparation is unmatched. Starting with a simple boxed cake mix means less fuss and fewer ingredients, making them accessible even for novice bakers. But don’t let the simplicity fool you; the homemade fudge filling elevates these bars to gourmet status. It’s a harmonious blend of creamy peanut butter, rich chocolate, and a buttery crust that creates an explosion of flavor and texture in every bite. They’re the kind of dessert that disappears quickly from any dessert table, leaving everyone craving more. Whether you’re looking for a quick treat or a show-stopping dessert, these Peanut Butter Fudge Bars deliver on all fronts.
Pro Tips & Variations for Perfect Peanut Butter Fudge Bars:
- Understanding the Original Recipe’s Challenge: The authentic 70s recipe called for a package of coconut pecan or almond frosting mix. Back then, Betty Crocker produced dry frosting mixes that required adding liquids to create a spreadable frosting. These dry mixes are no longer available, having been replaced by pre-made tubs of frosting that won’t work for this specific bar recipe. To honor the original intent, I’ve meticulously researched the components of those vintage dry mixes and formulated my own version for a dry coconut pecan frosting mix that flawlessly recreates the texture and flavor profile needed for these bars. While I don’t have a direct alternative for the dry almond frosting mix, the coconut pecan version is truly outstanding!
- Customize Your Toppings: Not a fan of coconut? Feel free to omit it entirely. The bars will still be incredibly delicious with their rich peanut butter and chocolate flavors. If pecans aren’t to your liking, simply leave them out or substitute them with another nut like chopped walnuts or almonds for a different texture and flavor dimension.
- Peanut Butter Preference: While creamy peanut butter yields a smoother crust, you can absolutely substitute crunchy peanut butter if you prefer an added textural element and nutty crunch in your bars. This slight alteration can add an extra layer of enjoyment for those who love a bit of bite.
- Cake Mix Creativity: The recipe traditionally uses a yellow cake mix, which provides a lovely, subtle vanilla base. However, don’t hesitate to experiment! A vanilla cake mix will enhance the classic dessert flavor, while a butter pecan cake mix can introduce a wonderfully rich and nutty undertone, complementing the pecans in the filling beautifully.
- Explore More Peanut Butter Goodness: If you’re enchanted by the simplicity and deliciousness of Grandma’s recipes, you might also want to check out her Grandma’s No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars recipe. It’s another easy and delightful treat for peanut butter lovers!
- Ensuring Even Baking: For best results, make sure your baking dish is thoroughly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. This will ensure that the bars come out cleanly and easily after cooling, preventing any sticking disasters.
- The Importance of Room Temperature Butter: For the crust, using room temperature butter is crucial. It helps combine with the cake mix and peanut butter more smoothly, creating a uniform dough that’s easy to press into the pan.
Key Ingredients for Irresistible Peanut Butter Fudge Bars
Crafting these delightful bars requires a handful of common pantry staples and a few star ingredients that come together to create magic. Each component plays a vital role in achieving the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and rich flavors, along with that satisfying texture. Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need to gather to bring this classic 70s dessert to life:
- Yellow Cake Mix: The convenient base for our crust, offering a tender texture and subtle sweetness.
- Peanut Butter: The unmistakable star, providing a creamy, nutty foundation for both the crust and overall flavor.
- Salted Butter: Adds richness and moisture to both the crust and the decadent fudge filling.
- Eggs: Binds the crust ingredients together, ensuring a cohesive and sturdy base.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: The heart of our rich, melty fudge filling, delivering that classic chocolatey goodness.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: Crucial for the creamy, smooth consistency and intense sweetness of the fudge.
- Sweetened Flaked Coconut (Optional): Introduces a tropical note and chewy texture, enhancing the overall complexity.
- Light Brown Sugar: Contributes a deep, caramel-like sweetness and moisture to the fudge.
- All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the fudge filling, giving it the perfect consistency.
- Chopped Pecans: Provides a delightful crunch and nutty flavor, perfectly complementing the chocolate and peanut butter.
How to Make Peanut Butter Fudge Bars: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
Creating these delightful Peanut Butter Fudge Bars is a straightforward process, combining a few simple steps to achieve a truly impressive dessert. Follow these instructions carefully, and you’ll have a tray of homemade deliciousness ready to share (or keep all to yourself!).
First, begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, take a 9×13-inch baking dish and generously spray it with a nonstick cooking spray. This crucial step ensures that your bars will lift out easily once baked and cooled.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, creamy peanut butter, softened room-temperature butter, and the beaten eggs. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until a thick, cohesive dough starts to form. The mixture will be quite dense and sticky, which is exactly what you want for the crust.
Once your dough is ready, press about two-thirds of it evenly into the bottom of the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. You’ll want to reserve the remaining one-third of the dough for the crumble topping later. Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to create a firm, even layer that will serve as the sturdy base for your bars.
Now, it’s time to prepare the star of the show: the rich fudge filling. In a medium saucepan, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and three tablespoons of salted butter. Place the saucepan over low heat, stirring continuously, until all the ingredients have melted together into a smooth, glossy mixture. Be patient and keep the heat low to prevent scorching.
Once the chocolate mixture is smooth, remove it from the heat. Then, stir in the optional sweetened flaked coconut, light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and the chopped pecans. Mix these additions thoroughly until they are well combined and evenly distributed throughout the rich fudge. This creates a beautifully textured and flavored filling.
Carefully spread this warm, rich fudge filling evenly over the peanut butter dough crust in the baking dish. Use a spatula to ensure the filling reaches all corners and forms a smooth, appealing layer.
Finally, take the remaining one-third of the peanut butter dough that you set aside earlier. Crumble it evenly over the top of the fudge filling. This creates a beautiful, rustic streusel-like topping that adds another layer of texture and flavor to the bars. Once topped, place the dish in your preheated oven and bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden brown and the edges are set.
Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the baking dish on a wire rack. This is crucial for the fudge to set properly, ensuring clean, beautiful slices. Once thoroughly cooled, slice them into individual bars using a sharp knife and serve them up to delighted faces! They are perfect with a cold glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
These Peanut Butter Fudge Bars are best served at room temperature, allowing the fudge to be perfectly tender. They pair wonderfully with a tall glass of cold milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a warm cup of coffee. For storage, keep any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you want them to last longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. For an extended treat, individual bars can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months; simply thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
More Irresistible Desserts You’ll Love!
If these Peanut Butter Fudge Bars have ignited your passion for delightful, easy-to-make desserts, you’re in luck! Our collection is brimming with recipes that promise to satisfy your sweet tooth and impress your guests. From more peanut butter creations to other fantastic bar recipes, there’s always something new and delicious to discover. Explore these family favorites:
- Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Fudge: For those who can’t get enough of the classic combo.
- No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie: A cool, creamy, and effortlessly delicious dessert.
- Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake: A rich cake with pockets of peanut butter and chocolate.
- Hummingbird Cake Bars: A tropical and spiced cake in convenient bar form.
- Chubby Hubby Bars: A delightful blend of pretzels, peanut butter, and chocolate.
- Peanut Butter Cookie Bars: All the goodness of peanut butter cookies, but in a bar.
- Buckeye Mini Pies: Bite-sized peanut butter and chocolate treats.
- Reese’s Cheesecake Bars: A creamy cheesecake with the iconic Reese’s flavor.
- Homemade Kit Kat Bars: Recreate your favorite candy bar at home.
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars: A comforting classic in bar form.
- Homemade 100 Grand Bars: Caramel, chocolate, and crispies in a fantastic bar.
- Homemade Twix Bars: Layers of shortbread, caramel, and chocolate.
- Snickers Bars: A homemade take on the beloved candy bar.
- No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars: A wholesome yet indulgent treat.
Peanut Butter Fudge Bars
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Pin
15 minutes
25 minutes
40 minutes
12
Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
For the crust and topping:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
-
1 cup
peanut butter
- ½ cup butter, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, beaten
For the filling:
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 3 Tablespoons salted butter
-
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
(optional) -
¾ cup
packed light brown sugar
-
¼ cup
all-purpose flour
-
½ cup
chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish generously with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, peanut butter, room temperature butter, and beaten eggs. Mix until the dough starts to hold together and becomes very thick.
- Press two-thirds of the prepared dough evenly into the bottom of the greased baking dish, setting aside the remaining one-third for the topping.
- To prepare the filling, combine the chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and three tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan. Melt over low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture is completely smooth.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the sweetened flaked coconut (if using), light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and chopped pecans. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
- Spread the fudge filling evenly over the peanut butter dough crust in the baking dish.
- Crumble the reserved one-third of the peanut butter dough evenly over the fudge filling. Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the edges are set.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the baking dish on a wire rack before slicing into bars and serving. Cooling is essential for the fudge to set properly.
Video
Notes
- The original 70s recipe called for a dry coconut pecan or almond frosting mix, which is no longer available. This recipe uses a homemade adaptation of a dry coconut pecan frosting mix.
- Not a fan of coconut? You can simply leave it out of the filling.
- If pecans aren’t your preference, feel free to omit them or substitute with another chopped nut like walnuts.
- For a different texture, crunchy peanut butter can be used instead of creamy.
- Experiment with different cake mixes; vanilla or butter pecan cake mix can also be used instead of yellow for subtle flavor variations.
Dessert
American
Nutrition
Calories:
601
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
67
g
|
Protein:
9
g
|
Fat:
34
g
|
Sodium:
541
mg
|
Fiber:
4
g
|
Sugar:
42
g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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Originally published: November 2017
Updated & republished: July 2020