Decadent Peanut Butter Chess Bars
Indulge in the rich, buttery goodness of these Decadent Peanut Butter Chess Bars, a delightful twist on traditional chess squares! Each bite reveals a luscious blend of creamy peanut butter and vanilla, perfectly complemented by the irresistible crunch of toffee bits. This sweet treat, inspired by a recipe from Southern Lady Magazine, has quickly become a crowd favorite at my office. With a soft, chewy base and a rich, gooey topping, these bars are perfect for any occasion—from potlucks to dessert tables. Bring a smile to your friends and family with these beautifully decadent treats, and watch them disappear in no time!
15
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
yellow cake mix
1 (18 1/4 ounce) box (ready to use)
butter
1/2 cup (melted)
eggs
3 (divided)
cream cheese
1 (8 ounce) package (softened)
confectioners' sugar
4 cups (ready to use)
peanut butter chips
1 cup (ready to use)
toffee pieces
1 cup (divided)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Grease a 13 x 9 inch baking pan thoroughly.
3
In a mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg. Mix until thoroughly combined, then press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the greased baking pan.
4
In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the confectioners' sugar and the remaining 2 eggs, mixing until well combined and creamy.
5
Gently fold in the peanut butter chips and 1/2 cup of the toffee pieces.
6
Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cake mixture in the pan, spreading it evenly.
7
Sprinkle the remaining toffee pieces over the top.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the center is set and the edges are lightly golden.
9
Allow to cool before cutting into squares. Garnish with a light dusting of confectioners' sugar, if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent Peanut Butter Chess Bars?
They are a rich, buttery dessert bar featuring a blend of creamy peanut butter chips and toffee, serving as a twist on traditional chess squares.
What size baking pan is required for this recipe?
You should use a 13 x 9 inch baking pan.
What temperature should the oven be preheated to?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How many eggs are needed in total?
The recipe requires a total of 3 eggs.
How are the eggs divided in the recipe?
One egg is mixed into the cake mix base, and the remaining two eggs are added to the cream cheese topping.
What type of cake mix is used for the base?
One 18.25 ounce box of yellow cake mix is used for the bottom layer.
Does the cream cheese need to be softened?
Yes, the 8 ounce package of cream cheese should be softened to ensure a smooth topping.
How much confectioners' sugar is used?
The recipe calls for 4 cups of confectioners' sugar.
What provides the peanut butter flavor in these bars?
The peanut butter flavor comes from 1 cup of peanut butter chips.
How much toffee is included in the recipe?
One cup of toffee pieces is used, divided between the filling and the topping.
How do I prepare the baking pan?
The 13 x 9 inch baking pan should be greased thoroughly before adding the mixture.
What are the steps for making the base?
Combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and one egg, then press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan.
How do I prepare the cream cheese topping?
Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth, add the confectioners' sugar and two eggs, then fold in peanut butter chips and half the toffee.
How long do the bars need to bake?
The bars should bake for approximately 45 minutes.
How can I tell when the bars are done baking?
The center should be set and the edges should be lightly golden.
Do the bars need to cool before serving?
Yes, you should allow the bars to cool completely before cutting them into squares.
What is the recommended garnish?
You can garnish the bars with a light dusting of confectioners' sugar if desired.
What is the texture of these dessert bars?
These bars have a soft, chewy cake base with a rich and gooey cream cheese topping.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields approximately 15 servings.
What inspired this specific recipe?
This recipe was inspired by a dessert featured in Southern Lady Magazine.
Are these bars suitable for potlucks?
Yes, they are described as a perfect treat for potlucks, dessert tables, and office gatherings.
How many ingredients are required in total?
There are 7 main ingredients required for this recipe.
What category of dessert are these classified as?
They are classified as Bar Cookies.
When do I add the second half of the toffee pieces?
The remaining toffee pieces should be sprinkled over the top of the cream cheese mixture before baking.
Is this a difficult recipe to make?
No, this is considered an easy recipe using simple steps and a pre-made cake mix.
Should the butter for the base be melted or softened?
The 1/2 cup of butter for the base should be melted.
Can I use different baking chips?
While the recipe calls for peanut butter chips, you could potentially swap them, though it would change the intended flavor profile.
What flavor of cake mix is best?
Yellow cake mix is specifically recommended for the traditional chess bar flavor.
How do I ensure the cream cheese mixture is not lumpy?
Beat the cream cheese alone until it is completely smooth before adding the sugar and eggs.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include dessert, bar cookies, chess squares, peanut butter, toffee, southern recipes, and office treats.