Description
Sweet chocolate and creamy peanut butter dream bars offer pure indulgence in every heavenly bite. Rich layers of decadent flavors promise a delightful escape you won’t want to miss.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 (3.9 ounces / 110 grams) package instant chocolate pudding mix
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 24 chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos), finely crushed
Dairy and Sweet Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups whipped topping
- 1 cup whipped topping (like Cool Whip or homemade)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ cups cold milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Garnish Ingredients:
- ¼ cup chopped peanuts (optional)
- Chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips (optional)
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Crush chocolate cookies into fine crumbs and blend with melted butter. Press mixture firmly into a parchment-lined baking dish, creating an even foundation. Chill in the refrigerator for approximately 15 minutes to solidify the base.
- Combine creamy peanut butter, softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Whip until the mixture achieves a smooth, velvety consistency. Gently fold in whipped topping to create a light, airy texture.
- Spread the peanut butter mixture evenly across the chilled cookie crust, ensuring a uniform layer that covers the entire surface.
- Prepare chocolate pudding by whisking the dry mix with cold milk for two minutes until it thickens and becomes glossy. Carefully pour and spread the pudding over the peanut butter layer.
- Crown the dessert with a generous layer of whipped topping, creating a cloud-like finish. Optionally, sprinkle chopped peanuts and chocolate chips or delicate chocolate shavings across the top for added crunch and visual appeal.
- Refrigerate the assembled dessert for a minimum of four hours, allowing all layers to set completely and flavors to meld together.
- When ready to serve, slice into neat squares and enjoy the chilled, decadent treat straight from the refrigerator.
Notes
- Swap graham crackers with gluten-free cookies to create a celiac-friendly version that maintains the same delicious texture and taste.
- Use reduced-fat cream cheese and sugar-free pudding mix for a lighter dessert option without compromising flavor intensity.
- Enhance the chocolate layer by adding a splash of strong coffee or espresso to deepen the rich chocolate notes and create more complex flavor profiles.
- Customize toppings with alternative garnishes like toasted coconut, caramel drizzle, or crushed pretzels for unique texture and personalized flair.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg