Description
Buckeye Cookie Bars with Cake Mix are a quick and crowd-pleasing dessert layered with chocolate cake cookie, creamy peanut butter, and ganache
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookie Layer:
1 box chocolate cake mix
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs, room temperature
For the Peanut Butter Layer:
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup powdered sugar
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Ganache:
1½ cups semi sweet chocolate chips
¾ cup heavy cream
a pinch of flaky sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper, allowing the edges to hang over for easy lifting later.
- Make the cookie layer: In a large bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, melted butter, and the eggs. Mix until well blended. Press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake the cookie layer for about 20 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let it cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Prepare the peanut butter layer: In a medium bowl, beat together the peanut butter, powdered sugar, softened butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Spread this mixture evenly over the cooled cookie layer.
- Make the chocolate ganache: To make the ganache, add chocolate chips to a heatproof bowl. Warm the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it starts to gently simmer. Pour the heated cream over the chocolate chips and let it rest for 2 to 3 minutes. Then whisk until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy.
- Assemble & chill: Pour the ganache over the peanut butter layer, spreading it evenly with a spatula. If using, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the ganache before it sets. Chill the bars in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or until the ganache has fully firmed up.
- Serve: Once set, use the parchment overhang to lift the whole slab out of the pan. Cut into squares or rectangles and serve. Enjoy your scrumptious bars!
Notes
Use flaky salt for contrast, chill before slicing, and use non-natural peanut butter for best results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 306
- Sugar: 17.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 26.5 g
- Protein: 4.95 g