This peanut butter fudge bars recipe uses cake mix and sweetened condensed milk to create soft, fudgy bars everyone loves.
IIf I had to choose my very favorite cookie bar recipe of all time, these peanut butter fudge bars would win—hands down.
I was first introduced to this recipe by my sister after a family visit many years ago, and it quickly became a staple in our house.
In fact, they’re so loved that both of my sons started making these peanut butter fudge bars once they were out on their own—and now they bake them in their own kitchens. That alone tells you how good they are.
These layered bars are rich, soft, and completely irresistible. A peanut butter cookie base and topping sandwich a fudgy chocolate center made with sweetened condensed milk. They’re sometimes called “can’t-leave-alone bars” for good reason. If you need a dependable dessert for a potluck, bake sale, or family gathering, this is always one of my first choices—and they freeze beautifully, too.
The only real problem? I want to eat the whole pan myself.
Ingredients you’ll need for these Peanut Butter Fudge Bars recipe:
Here’s a quick look at what goes into these peanut butter fudge bars with cake mix. Refer to the printable recipe card right below to find the exact measurements.
- Yellow or white cake mix – Either works beautifully as the base of the bars
- Creamy peanut butter – Smooth and classic; this gives the bars their signature flavor
- Egg – Helps bind the dough together
- Vegetable or canola oil – Keeps the bars soft and tender
- Sweetened condensed milk – Creates the rich, fudgy chocolate layer
- Chocolate chips – I use semi-sweet, but any kind works
- Butter – Adds richness and helps melt the chocolate smoothly
Step by step Instructions for this Cookie Bar Recipe:
1.Combine the cake mix, peanut butter, egg, and oil. 
2.Press two-thirds of the mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch pan and bake about 10 minutes. 
3.melt the sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, and butter together and pour over baked crust.
4.Sprinkle with reserved cake mix topping. 
5.Bake until slightly golden brown. 
6.Slice while slightly warm.
Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Fudge Bars
- The topping dough is thick, so take a little at a time and gently rub it between your fingers to create small crumbs.
- Don’t overbake—remove the bars when the top is just turning golden brown.
- For the cleanest cuts, slice the bars while they’re still slightly warm.
- These bars freeze exceptionally well, making them perfect for make-ahead desserts.
Enjoy!!
More delicious baking recipes you may love!
- These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip cookies can be mixed quickly without a mixer!
- Texas Brownies are the perfect brownies that can be frosted immediately out of the oven.
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies are a great lunch snack.
- Apple Cookies with Vanilla Glaze are an heirloom recipe that is delicious (and can help you use up your apples!).
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Peanut Butter Fudge Bars Recipe
A beloved family treat, peanut butter fudge bars utilizing cake mix feature a fudgy chocolate core nestled in a tempting peanut butter base.
Ingredients
Method
- Step 1: Combine the cake mix, peanut butter, egg and oil. Stir together in a large bowl.
- Step 2: Press 2/3 of above mixture into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 10 minutes.
- Step 3:Melt together in the microwave or on the stove top the sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips and butter. When melted completely, pour over the baked crust.
- Step 4: Sprinkle with remaining crumbs. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
