Peanutty Chewy Bars
Description
These Peanutty Chewy Bars are the ultimate comfort dessert, combining a soft, cake-like chocolate base with gooey peanut butter and toasted coconut. The secret lies in the two-stage baking process: the base is partially baked first, then topped with peanut butter chips, a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk, and shredded coconut before finishing in the oven. The result is a dense, fudgy bar with incredible texture contrast. They are perfect for potlucks, lunchboxes, or satisfying a late-night sweet tooth. Easy to make with pantry staples, these bars are a crowd-pleaser that delivers big flavor in every bite.Ingredients
Directions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177&# 194;°C).
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Grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
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In a large bowl, stir together flour, granulated sugar, cocoa, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.
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Add butter to the dry ingredients; cut in with a pastry blender or with your hands until the mixture is well blended and resembles coarse crumbs.
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Add eggs and mix well until a cohesive dough forms.
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Spoon mixture into the prepared pan, pressing firmly and evenly onto the bottom of the pan.
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Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the base is set.
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Remove from oven; sprinkle peanut butter chips evenly over the top.
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Drizzle sweetened condensed milk evenly over the chips.
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Top with sweetened coconut flakes.
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Return to oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and the bars are set.
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Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
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Cut into bars.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 24
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 2512.4kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 157.8g243%
- Saturated Fat 38.6g194%
- Cholesterol 24.0mg8%
- Sodium 2848.2mg119%
- Total Carbohydrate 228.9g77%
- Dietary Fiber 23.6g95%
- Sugars 129.8g
- Protein 81.7g164%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Use sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk. Sweetened condensed milk is thick and very sweet, while evaporated milk is thinner and unsweetened.
For best results, use unsweetened shredded coconut. If using flaked coconut, ensure it is dried well to prevent sogginess.
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. They can also be frozen for longer storage.
For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend.
Make sure the bars are completely cool before cutting for clean edges. If they are warm, they may crumble.
