Peanut Butter 'N Fudge Filled Bars
These decadent peanut butter 'n fudge filled bars combine chewy oats, rich peanut butter, and smooth chocolate for a delightful treat. Perfect for satisfying sweet cravings, they suit snack lovers and dessert enthusiasts alike, offering a harmonious blend of textures and flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
- 2 cups firmly packed brown sugar ⓘ
- 1 cup butter or margarine (soft) ⓘ
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons peanut butter ⓘ
- 2 eggs ⓘ
- 2 cups all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups oats (quick or old fashioned), uncooked ⓘ
- 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk ⓘ
- 1 (12 oz.) package semi-sweet chocolate pieces ⓘ
- 2/3 cup chopped pecans ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 13 x 9-inch pan.
- In a large bowl, beat brown sugar, butter, and 1/4 cup peanut butter until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time.
- Add combined flour, baking soda, and salt; beat until well mixed.
- Stir in oats; mix well. Reserve 1 cup of the oat mixture and set aside.
- Spread the remaining oat mixture evenly onto the prepared pan.
- In a saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk and semi-sweet chocolate pieces; cook over low heat until smooth.
- Pour the chocolate mixture over the oat layer in the pan.
- Sprinkle chopped pecans over the chocolate layer.
- Drop small spoonfuls of the remaining peanut butter onto the chocolate and pecans; gently swirl with a knife.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the topping is set and golden.
- Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, try using crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth. If you're out of pecans, walnuts or almonds can be excellent substitutes. To make this recipe even simpler, consider using store-bought fudge sauce instead of making the chocolate layer from scratch. For a fun twist, you could add a layer of marshmallow fluff for extra sweetness.
Serving Suggestions
These Peanut Butter 'N Fudge Filled Bars are perfect for dessert or as a sweet snack. Serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful treat, or pair with a cup of coffee for a cozy afternoon break. They also make a great addition to dessert platters alongside treats like Boston Cream Pie or Toffee Dessert.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 2 weeks. To reheat, simply warm them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or enjoy them cold. These bars also freeze well; wrap them tightly and store for up to 2 months.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Peanut Butter 'N Fudge Filled Bars contains roughly 1147 calories, with 24g protein, 86g carbohydrates, and 83g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (48% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (36% of the Daily Value), and iron (25% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 966mg per serving (42% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to make these bars gluten-free. Be sure to check that your oats are certified gluten-free as well, as regular oats may be cross-contaminated.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?
The bars are done when the topping is set and has a golden hue. You can also insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter. If it comes out clean, they may be overbaked.
Can I use other types of chocolate?
Absolutely! You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate with milk chocolate for a sweeter taste or dark chocolate for a richer, less sweet flavor. Just keep in mind that using different types of chocolate will alter the overall sweetness of the bars.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).