Irresistibly Gooey Fluffernutter Cookie Bars: The Ultimate Sweet & Salty Treat Recipe

Get ready to indulge in the most delicious, soft, and unbelievably gooey Fluffernutter Cookie Bars you’ve ever tasted! These aren’t just any cookie bars; they’re a delightful tribute to the classic Fluffernutter sandwich, combining the rich, nutty flavor of peanut butter with sweet, airy marshmallows and a generous helping of chocolate. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the peanut butter and marshmallow combo or looking for a new dessert to impress, these bars strike the perfect balance between sweet and salty, making them an instant favorite for any gathering or a cozy night in.

Imagine biting into a soft, chewy bar that melts in your mouth, revealing pockets of gooey marshmallow and delicious chocolate chips, all enveloped in a rich peanut butter cookie base. That’s exactly what these Fluffernutter Cookie Bars deliver. They are simple to make, yet yield an impressively decadent result, making them a fantastic alternative to traditional cookies when you’re short on time but big on flavor expectations.

Why These Fluffernutter Cookie Bars Will Become Your New Go-To Dessert

There’s something truly magical about the combination of peanut butter and marshmallow. It’s a nostalgic flavor pairing that evokes childhood memories, but these bars elevate it to a sophisticated, irresistible dessert. Here’s why you’ll absolutely adore this recipe:

• Unbeatable Texture: We’re talking soft, chewy edges and a super gooey center. The secret lies in a careful balance of ingredients and baking techniques that ensure every bite is pure bliss.
• Perfect Sweet & Salty Harmony: The natural saltiness of peanut butter beautifully complements the sweetness of the sugars and marshmallows, creating a flavor profile that keeps you coming back for more.
• Easy to Make: Forget scooping individual cookies! These bars come together quickly in one pan, making cleanup a breeze and baking much more efficient.
• Customizable Delights: While delicious as is, this recipe encourages creativity. We’ve included chocolate chips and marshmallows, but feel free to add your favorite mix-ins like chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups for an extra layer of flavor.
• Crowd-Pleaser: From potlucks and parties to simple family desserts, these bars are guaranteed to be a hit with adults and kids alike.

Key Ingredients for Perfectly Gooey Fluffernutter Cookie Bars

Every great recipe starts with quality ingredients. For these Fluffernutter Cookie Bars, each component plays a crucial role in achieving that sought-after soft, chewy, and gooey texture:

• Softened Unsalted Butter: The foundation of any good cookie, softened butter creams beautifully with sugar, creating a light and airy base. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the bars.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: The star of the show! Opt for a creamy, shelf-stable peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) for consistent results. Natural peanut butter can be too oily and alter the texture of the bars.
• Light Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: This dynamic duo provides both sweetness and texture. Brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness, while granulated sugar contributes to the crisp edges and overall sweetness.
• Large Egg & Extra Egg Yolk: The whole egg provides structure, and the additional egg yolk is a secret weapon for richness and an even chewier, more tender crumb. Don’t skip it if you want truly decadent bars!
• Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla enhances all the other flavors, adding depth and warmth.
• Baking Soda & Salt: Baking soda helps the bars rise slightly and spread, contributing to their soft texture. Salt balances the sweetness and brings out the nutty flavor of the peanut butter.
• Cornstarch (Optional but Recommended): This is another secret to chewiness! Just a tablespoon of cornstarch can make a noticeable difference in the final texture, ensuring your bars are extra soft and tender.
• All-Purpose Flour: The primary dry ingredient, providing the structure for your cookie dough.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips & Mini Marshmallows: The mix-ins that make these bars a “Fluffernutter” experience! Semi-sweet chocolate chips offer a lovely contrast to the sweet marshmallow, and mini marshmallows melt into gooey pockets of deliciousness. Feel free to use half chocolate chips and half chopped Reese’s cups for an added peanut butter punch!

Expert Tips for Baking Your Best Fluffernutter Cookie Bars

While the recipe itself is straightforward, a few key tips and tricks can elevate your cookie bars from good to absolutely phenomenal:

1. Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: Ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together properly, creating an emulsified batter that holds air, resulting in a lighter, more evenly textured bar.
2. Do Not Overmix the Dough: After adding the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt, cornstarch), mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, dry bars instead of soft, chewy ones.
3. Pan Preparation is Essential: Greasing and lining your 9×13 light-colored metal pan with parchment paper is crucial. Creating a “parchment sling” (leaving excess parchment hanging over the sides) makes it incredibly easy to lift the entire batch of bars out of the pan once cooled, allowing for clean, effortless slicing.
4. Don’t Overbake! This is perhaps the most important tip for gooey cookie bars. The baking time (16-18 minutes) is a guideline. Look for visual cues: lightly browned edges, lightly toasted marshmallows, and a center that no longer looks wet but might still appear slightly soft. Remember that the bars will continue to cook slightly from residual heat after being removed from the oven.
5. Cooling Patience is a Virtue: It’s tempting to dive right into warm cookie bars, but for the best results (and to avoid crumbly, falling-apart bars), allow them to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes. For perfectly clean slices, I highly recommend refrigerating the bars for about 1 hour before cutting. This helps the chocolate and marshmallows set, making them much easier to cut into neat squares.
6. Customize Your Toppings: Before baking, feel free to press extra chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, or chopped peanut butter cups onto the surface of the dough. This not only makes them look beautiful but also adds more delightful pockets of flavor and texture.

Serving Suggestions for Your Gooey Bars

These Fluffernutter Cookie Bars are delicious on their own, but here are a few ideas to make them even more special:

• Warm with Ice Cream: Serve a warm bar with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast of warm, gooey cookie bar with cold, melting ice cream is divine!
• A Glass of Milk: There’s nothing more classic than a cookie bar and a tall glass of cold milk.
• Coffee or Tea Pairing: Enjoy these bars as a delightful treat with your afternoon coffee or evening tea.
• Party Perfect: Cut them into smaller squares for a dessert platter at your next party or potluck. They’re always a crowd-pleaser.

Storage and Freezing Instructions

To keep your Fluffernutter Cookie Bars fresh and delicious:

Nutrition Information

For those mindful of their dietary intake, here’s a general nutritional breakdown per serving:

Final Thoughts

These Fluffernutter Cookie Bars are more than just a dessert; they’re an experience. They embody the comfort of a classic treat with an irresistible gooey twist that makes them utterly unforgettable. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion, a casual get-together, or simply to satisfy a craving, this recipe delivers on every front. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and get ready to bake a batch of pure happiness!

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