Super Easy Peanut Butter Cup Blondies: Your Ultimate Gooey, Fudgy Treat

Prepare to fall in love with these Super Easy Peanut Butter Cup Blondies, a delightful treat that promises soft, incredibly gooey, and undeniably fudgy peanut butter goodness. Each bite is generously studded with mini peanut butter cups, creating an explosion of flavor that will send any peanut butter and chocolate enthusiast straight to dessert heaven. This recipe is designed for simplicity without compromising on taste, making it a perfect choice for bakers of all skill levels.

What sets these blondies apart is their minimal ingredient list and straightforward preparation. You won’t need any eggs or traditional butter; instead, we leverage the richness of peanut butter and oil to achieve that signature moist, chewy texture. This makes them not only easy but also adaptable for various dietary preferences. If you’re a fan of our other irresistible creations, you’ll also adore our Extreme Peanut Butter Cookies, the rich Ultimate Brown Butter Blondies, and the decadent Ultimate Peanut Butter Cup Stuffed Chocolate Cookies.

Why These Peanut Butter Cup Blondies Will Become Your New Favorite

There are countless reasons to adore this simple yet spectacular blondie recipe. From their effortless preparation to their undeniable deliciousness, these blondies are truly a baker’s dream.

• Effortlessly Simple: This recipe is incredibly easy to follow, making it a perfect choice for busy weekdays or when you need a quick dessert. You’ll find yourself reaching for this reliable recipe again and again because of its simplicity and consistent results.
• Minimal Ingredients: With just six core ingredients (unless you choose to omit the peanut butter cups for a pure peanut butter blondie), you likely have most of what you need in your pantry right now. This means less shopping and more baking!
• One-Bowl Wonder: Say goodbye to piles of dirty dishes! This entire batter comes together in just one bowl, streamlining the cleanup process and making baking a breeze.
• Egg-Free and Butter-Free: We’ve innovatively replaced eggs and traditional butter with oil and creamy peanut butter. This not only gives the blondies an incredibly soft, thick, and chewy texture but also makes them suitable for those with egg allergies or seeking dairy-free options when using the right milk alternative.
• Explosive Peanut Butter Flavor: These blondies are not shy about their peanut butter essence. Each bite delivers a rich, intense peanut butter experience, enhanced by the melt-in-your-mouth peanut butter cups. It’s a true celebration for anyone who can’t get enough of this nutty delight.
• Irresistibly Addictive: Be warned: these blondies are so good, they tend to disappear quickly! Peanut butter lovers will find them utterly irresistible. Consider stashing a few away for yourself before they vanish entirely.

Key Ingredients for Perfect Peanut Butter Cup Blondies

Crafting these delectable blondies requires a handful of common pantry staples. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect texture and flavor profile.

• Brown Sugar: Packed brown sugar provides not only sweetness but also contributes to the moist, fudgy texture of the blondies. Its molasses content adds a deeper, more complex flavor compared to white sugar.
• Canola Oil or Melted Coconut Oil: As a replacement for butter, oil delivers moisture and helps create that wonderfully soft, chewy consistency. Canola oil is a neutral choice, while melted coconut oil can add a subtle tropical note if preferred. Ensure it’s melted and slightly cooled before adding.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: The star of the show! Use your favorite creamy peanut butter. Natural or sugar-free varieties can also be used if you’re mindful of added sugars, but ensure they are stir-well types for a smooth consistency. Avoid overly oily or crunchy peanut butter for the best texture in these blondies.
• All-Purpose Flour: The structural backbone of our blondies. Standard all-purpose flour works perfectly to bind the ingredients and create the desired density.
• Almond Milk: This recipe uses almond milk, contributing to the moistness and helping to bring the batter together. Feel free to use any milk of your choice; dairy milk works just as well if a vegan option isn’t necessary.
• Mini Peanut Butter Cups: These are the ultimate add-in for an extra layer of peanut butter and chocolate bliss. Reese’s mini cups are a popular choice, but for a vegan version, simply swap them for your favorite brand of vegan peanut butter cups. Chopping larger cups into smaller pieces also works!

Step-by-Step: How to Bake Peanut Butter Cup Blondies

Baking these blondies is wonderfully straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a batch of perfect, gooey, and fudgy treats.

1. Prepare Your Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing an overhang on the sides to easily lift the blondies out later. Lightly spray the parchment paper with non-stick cooking spray, then set the prepared pan aside.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, creamy peanut butter, and canola (or melted coconut) oil. Using either an electric mixer on medium speed or a sturdy whisk, beat these ingredients together until the mixture is completely smooth and well combined. This step ensures an even distribution of flavors and a consistent base.
3. Incorporate Dry and Fold in Cups: Add the all-purpose flour to the wet mixture and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough blondies. Next, pour in the almond milk and continue to mix gently until the batter is uniform. Finally, gently fold in your mini peanut butter cups using a spatula, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
4. Bake to Perfection: Transfer the prepared blondie batter into your lined 8×8 inch baking pan, spreading it evenly. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25-27 minutes. The blondies are ready when the edges appear golden brown and the center is mostly set but still looks slightly soft or even a little wet. Remember, they will continue to firm up as they cool, so underbaking slightly is key for that desirable fudgy, gooey center.
5. Cool Completely Before Slicing: This is a crucial step! Once baked, remove the blondies from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This allows them to set properly, preventing them from crumbling when you slice them. Patience will reward you with perfectly formed, delectable squares.

Crafting Delicious Vegan Peanut Butter Blondies

This recipe is incredibly versatile and easily adapted for a vegan diet. Since the original recipe already omits eggs and butter (which are typically dairy), making it vegan is a breeze with just one simple substitution.

To transform these into delightful vegan peanut butter blondies, the only change required is to swap out conventional mini peanut butter cups for their vegan counterparts. Many brands now offer delicious vegan peanut butter cups that maintain the perfect balance of sweet and salty, ensuring your blondies are just as decadent. Alternatively, you can try making your homemade peanut butter cups with vegan chocolate and peanut butter, providing full control over the ingredients. With no eggs already in the recipe and almond milk as an option, you’re all set for a plant-based treat that everyone can enjoy!

Expert Tips for the Best Blondies Every Time

Achieving that perfect balance of fudgy, gooey, and flavorful blondies is easy with a few insider tips and tricks.

• Cool Completely Before Slicing: This cannot be stressed enough! Blondies, especially those with a moist, fudgy center, need ample time to cool and set. Attempting to slice them while still warm will likely result in a crumbly mess. Patience is a virtue here; let them cool fully in the pan for neat, perfectly formed squares.
• Avoid Overbaking for Ultimate Fudginess: The secret to truly fudgy and gooey blondies lies in not overbaking them. Keep a close eye on your oven. You want the edges to be golden brown, but the very center should still appear slightly underdone or soft. Trust the process – the residual heat in the pan will continue to cook the blondies as they cool, achieving that ideal chewy-fudgy texture.
• Know When They’re Done: Look for visual cues. The edges of your blondies should turn a light golden brown. When you gently shake the pan, the center might jiggle a tiny bit. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter. If it comes out completely clean, they are likely overbaked.
• Scale Up Your Batch: Planning for a party or a larger gathering? This recipe is easily adaptable! Simply double or even triple the ingredients to bake in a 9×13 inch pan. For a double batch, increase the baking time to approximately 30-35 minutes, keeping an eye on the edges and center for doneness.
• Enhance the Peanut Butter Flavor: For an even more intense peanut butter experience, consider drizzling a thin layer of melted peanut butter over the cooled blondies before cutting. A sprinkle of sea salt can also beautifully enhance the sweet and savory notes.
• Customize Your Mix-Ins: While peanut butter cups are fantastic, feel free to experiment with other mix-ins. Chocolate chips (milk, dark, or white), chopped peanuts, pretzels for a salty crunch, or even a swirl of jam can all add exciting twists to this base recipe.

Serving and Storage Suggestions

Once your Super Easy Peanut Butter Cup Blondies have cooled and are perfectly sliced, it’s time to enjoy them! Here are some ideas for serving and how to keep them fresh:

• Serving Suggestions:
  • Warm with Ice Cream: For an extra decadent treat, gently warm a blondie in the microwave for a few seconds and serve it with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The contrast of warm blondie and cold ice cream is divine.
  • Coffee or Tea Companion: These rich blondies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or even a glass of cold milk.
  • Dessert Platter: Cut into smaller squares, they make an excellent addition to any dessert platter for parties or potlucks.
  • Snack Time: Perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up or a late-night indulgence.
• Storage Instructions:
  • Room Temperature: Store leftover blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. Placing a piece of parchment paper between layers can prevent sticking.
  • Refrigeration: While not strictly necessary, refrigerating them can extend their freshness slightly, up to about a week. Bring them back to room temperature or warm slightly before serving for the best texture.
  • Freezing: For longer storage, individual blondies can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then placed in a freezer-safe bag or container. They will keep well in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them at room temperature or gently warm them in the microwave when ready to enjoy.

These peanut butter cup blondies are destined to become your go-to treat whenever a craving for gooey, peanut-buttery goodness strikes. They are perfect for parties, casual snacking, game days, camping trips, bake sales, or as a delightful surprise packed in lunches. Don’t hesitate to give them a try – and if you’re feeling adventurous, consider making your own mini peanut butter cups for an extra personal touch!

Frequently Asked Questions About Blondies

• Q: What is the difference between a blondie and a brownie?

  A: While often compared, blondies and brownies are distinct! Brownies are typically made with melted chocolate or cocoa powder, giving them their characteristic dark color and intense chocolate flavor. Blondies, on the other hand, derive their flavor primarily from brown sugar, vanilla, and often butter (or in this case, peanut butter and oil), resulting in a “blonde” color and a rich, buttery, caramel-like taste. They share a similar fudgy, chewy texture.

• Q: Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

  A: While creamy peanut butter is recommended for the smoothest texture in these blondies, you can certainly experiment with crunchy peanut butter. It will add an extra layer of nutty texture, which some might enjoy. Just be aware that the overall texture of the blondie might be slightly less uniform.

• Q: My blondies turned out dry. What went wrong?

  A: The most common reason for dry blondies is overbaking. Blondies should be removed from the oven when the edges are set and lightly golden, but the center still appears slightly soft or a bit underdone. They will continue to cook and set as they cool in the pan. Another reason could be too much flour, so ensure accurate measuring.

• Q: Do I have to use parchment paper?

  A: Using parchment paper is highly recommended for easy removal of the blondies from the pan without sticking, especially with their soft and gooey texture. If you don’t have parchment paper, you can grease and flour the pan thoroughly, but lifting them out will be trickier.

• Q: Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?

  A: Absolutely! This recipe is very adaptable. Feel free to add about 1/2 cup of chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or dark) or chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts along with the peanut butter cups for extra flavor and texture. Ensure you don’t overfill the pan.

More Irresistible Blondie & Bar Recipes

If you’re a fan of easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing bar desserts, you’ll love exploring these other fantastic recipes:

• 10 Over-The-Top Blondies That Will Make Your Head Spin
• Cinnamon Roll Blondies
• Sheet Pan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Blondies
• 20 Awesome Bars for Fall!
• Easy Coconut Blondies
• Ultimate Snickers Peanut Butter Blondies

Recipe slightly adapted from Baker by Nature