Fudge Frosted Peanut Butter Blondie Bars

You guys. I have done something major here. Like, put me down in the history books or something, because this is big.

I perfected chocolate frosting.

This stuff…oh. It’s divine. It’s so fudgy and rich and just plain perfect.

I really love fudgy chocolate frosting, but I’ve always struggled getting it just right. I don’t like cooca frosting recipes and I don’t have a ton of success with melted chocolate recipes. Then it hit me. If you want fudgy frosting, why not add hot fudge?

You may have noticed that I have an obsession with hot fudge? Hello, sundae cookie bars and hot fudge peanut butter bars.

Well, hot fudge is absolutely amazing in frosting. This recipe is super similar to the jars of frosting you can get by the cake mixes, without the weird aftertaste (am I the only one who notices the chemical aftertaste in pre-made baked stuff these days?) and you know exactly what is going into this recipe. Well, except for the hot fudge, but you could totally go homemade with the fudge ripple in this Peanut Butter Fudge Ice Cream recipe!

Anyway, I insist that y’all try this frosting! I slathered it on the most amazing peanut butter blondies ever! They just melt in your mouth!

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Recipe

Peanut Butter Cookie Bars with Chocolate Fudge Frosting

These fudgy peanut butter cookie bars are topped with a simple chocolate frosting. So chewy and decadent!

5 from 2 votes

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Prep10 minutes minutes

Cook20 minutes minutes

Total30 minutes minutes

Serves 16 bars

Ingredients

For the bars:

• ▢ 1 1/3 cups packed brown sugar
• ▢ 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• ▢ 1/4 cup butter melted
• ▢ 3 large eggs
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ▢ 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the frosting:

• ▢ 1/2 cup butter softened
• ▢ 1/2 cup hot fudge ice cream topping
• ▢ 1 cup powdered sugar
• ▢ 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• ▢ 1 tablespoon heavy cream or milk
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ▢ pinch salt

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Instructions

To make the cookie bars:

• To make the bars, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, beat together sugar, peanut butter, and butter with an electric mixer until well combined. Mix in the eggs and vanilla.
• Stir in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Spread into the prepared baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a tester comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
• Let cool completely before frosting and cutting.

To make the fudge frosting:

• To make the frosting, add the butter and hot fudge to a bowl and beat until well combined with an electric mixer.
• Add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, cream, vanilla, and salt to the bowl and mix on slow until well combined.
• Spread the frosting over the cookie bars and cut into small squares.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Tips & Notes:

We use a smooth, processed style peanut butter such as Jif or Skippy for this recipe. Natural peanut butter may not work as well. 

 

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1cookie bar| Calories: 320kcal (16%)| Carbohydrates: 43g (14%)| Protein: 5g (10%)| Fat: 15g (23%)| Saturated Fat: 7g (44%)| Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g| Monounsaturated Fat: 5g| Trans Fat: 0.4g| Cholesterol: 59mg (20%)| Sodium: 245mg (11%)| Potassium: 160mg (5%)| Fiber: 1g (4%)| Sugar: 29g (32%)| Vitamin A: 331IU (7%)| Vitamin C: 0.02mg| Calcium: 44mg (4%)| Iron: 1mg (6%)

Author: Karly Campbell

Course:Dessert

Cuisine:American

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