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Peanut Butter Cup Blondies

These peanut butter cup blondies are thick, chewy, and filled with chopped peanut butter cups for an irresistibly rich treat. Made in just one bowl, they’re an easy dessert that’s perfect for peanut butter lovers.

a peanut butter cup blondie with chopped peanut butter cups stuffed inside a peanut butter blondie bar

If you’re a fan of peanut butter and chocolate, these peanut butter cup blondies deserve a spot on your baking list. A rich peanut butter blondie batter surrounds a generous layer of chopped peanut butter cups, creating thick, bakery-style bars with plenty of peanut butter flavor in every bite.

The best part? They’re surprisingly easy to make. Everything comes together in one bowl, and the simple ingredients do all the work. Whether you’re baking for a party, sharing with friends, or simply treating yourself, these blondies are guaranteed to disappear quickly.

Why You’ll Love These Peanut Butter Cup Blondies

  • Bakery-style at home. Thick, chewy blondies with plenty of peanut butter cups make every square feel like a bakery treat.
  • Big peanut butter flavor. Creamy peanut butter in the batter and a generous layer of peanut butter cups create the perfect peanut butter-and-chocolate combination.
  • Easy to make. The batter comes together in one bowl with simple pantry staples.
  • Perfectly rich and chewy. These blondies are soft, sturdy, and satisfyingly chewy without being overly dense.
  • Great for sharing. Cut them into nine generous bakery-style blondies or sixteen smaller squares for parties and dessert trays.

Updated for even better results! This recipe now features a thicker, chewier blondie, a generous layer of peanut butter cups, and an easy one-bowl method.

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overhead view of ingredients for peanut butter cup blondies

Key Ingredients

  • Creamy peanut butter – Use a regular creamy peanut butter like Jif or Skippy for the best texture and consistent results. Natural peanut butter can separate and affect the texture of the blondies.
  • Light brown sugar – Brown sugar gives these blondies their soft, chewy texture and adds a rich caramel-like flavor that pairs perfectly with peanut butter.
  • Peanut butter cups – A generous layer of chopped peanut butter cups creates pockets of chocolate and peanut butter throughout every blondie. Reserve some for the top so everyone knows what’s inside before taking a bite.
  • Melted butter – Using melted butter keeps this a simple one-bowl recipe while helping create a dense, chewy blondie instead of a cakier bar.

How to Make Peanut Butter Cup Blondies

Combine the wet ingredients.
Whisk together the melted butter, peanut butter, and brown sugar until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla, mixing until the batter is well combined and glossy.

Mix in the dry ingredients.
Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt just until combined. Overmixing can make the blondies less tender.

Layer the batter and filling.
Spread about two-thirds of the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the chopped peanut butter cups evenly over the batter, leaving a small border around the edges. Dollop the remaining batter over the top and gently spread it to cover most of the filling. Scatter the reserved peanut butter cups over the top.

Bake.
Bake until the edges are golden and set and the center is just set. A toothpick inserted into the blondie (not a peanut butter cup) should come out with a few moist crumbs.

Cool completely.
Allow the blondies to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out and cutting into squares. If desired, sprinkle with flaky sea salt before serving for a little extra crunch and a delicious sweet-and-salty finish.

overhead view of sliced peanut butter blondies on parchment paper

Tips for Success

  • Use regular creamy peanut butter. Stick with a processed brand like Jif or Skippy for the most reliable texture. Natural peanut butter can make the batter oily or crumbly.
  • Don’t over-mix the batter. Once you add the dry ingredients, stir just until no streaks of flour remain. Over-mixing can make the blondies less tender.
  • Use your favorite peanut butter cups. Regular or miniature peanut butter cups both work well. Just chop them into bite-size pieces so they’re evenly distributed throughout the blondies.
  • Reserve peanut butter cups for the top. Pressing a few extra pieces into the batter before baking makes the finished blondies look as good as they taste.
  • Bake just until set. The edges should be lightly browned, while the center should still look slightly soft. They’ll continue to set as they cool, giving you that chewy bakery-style texture.
  • Cool before slicing. It can be tempting to cut into them while they’re warm, but letting them cool completely helps the blondies set and makes for cleaner slices.
  • Finish with flaky salt. A light sprinkle adds a subtle crunch and balances the sweetness and richness of the peanut butter and chocolate.
stack of three peanut butter blondies filled with chopped peanut butter cups

How to Store

Room temperature: Place the cooled blondies in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Refrigerator: For longer storage, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Let them sit at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before serving if you prefer a softer texture.

Freezer: Wrap individual blondies or place them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between the layers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for about an hour at room temperature.

A Bakery-Worthy Treat for Peanut Butter Lovers

If you love the classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate, these peanut butter cup blondies are sure to become a favorite. They’re thick, chewy, and filled with plenty of peanut butter cups, making every bite rich, satisfying, and just a little over the top.

Whether you’re baking them for a party, sharing them with friends, or keeping a batch on the counter for yourself, these bakery-style blondies are always a welcome treat. If you give them a try, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below and don’t forget to rate the recipe.

a peanut butter cup blondie on a white plate
overhead view of thick, chewy peanut butter cup blondies
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Peanut Butter Cup Blondies

Yield: 9 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Thick, chewy peanut butter cup blondies are filled with chopped peanut butter cups for a rich, bakery-style treat. Made in one bowl with simple ingredients, they're an easy dessert that's perfect for peanut butter and chocolate lovers.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup (191 g) creamy peanut butter
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 10 ounces (280 g) peanut butter cups, roughly chopped
  • flaky sea salt, optional for finishing

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch square baking pan and line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides.
  • Melt the butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Let cool for a few minutes.
  • Whisk in the peanut butter until smooth. Add the brown sugar and whisk until combined.
  • Add the eggs and vanilla, and whisk until smooth and glossy.
  • Add the flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing just until combined.
  • Spread about two-thirds of the batter in the prepared pan. It will be thick, so use a small offset spatula or lightly greased fingers.
  • Set aside about 2 ounces of the chopped peanut butter cups. Scatter the remaining peanut butter cups evenly over the batter, leaving a small border around the edges.
  • Dollop the remaining batter over the filling, and gently spread to cover most of it. (It doesn’t need to be perfect.)
  • Press the reserved peanut butter cup pieces onto the top of the batter.
  • Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly browned but the center still has a slight jiggle.
  • Sprinkle flaky salt over the top, if using.
  • Cool completely in the pan before lifting from the pan and cutting into bars.

Notes

  • Use a regular creamy peanut butter, such as Jif or Skippy, for the best texture and consistent results. Natural peanut butter isn’t recommended for this recipe.
  • Mini or regular peanut butter cups both work well. Chop into bite-size pieces before adding them to the batter.
  • For clean slices, let the blondies cool completely before cutting. A sharp knife wiped clean between cuts works well.
  • Sprinkle the blondies with flaky sea salt after baking if you’d like a delicious sweet-and-salty finish.
  • Cut into 9 generous bakery-style blondies or 16 smaller squares for serving a crowd.
Course: bars
Cuisine: American
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    27 Comments on “Peanut Butter Cup Blondies”

  1. These look amazing! Chocolate and peanut butter are the most reliable ingredient buddies.

  2. Perfect! Thank you.

  3. chocolate and peanut butter is an amazing combination. I will be making these for sure!

  4. Your site is so good (and tasty), it was the first site I saved into My Recipe Box on Allrecipes!

  5. The kiddo’s will love to make these….the hubs will love to eat these….

    My hips thank you!

  6. Just the thought of a peanut butter cup in each bite of a blondie makes me so hungry

  7. These look absolutely scrumptious. You are so right that chocolate and peanut butter together are better than the sum of its parts. Have you ever tried Trader Joe’s dark chocolate peanut butter cups? Those are my favorite. I don’t believe they come in mini, though, so you’d have to cut them up for baking. Anyway, thanks for the great recipe.

  8. I love those new mini Reeses cups, hadn’t thought yet beyond eating them plain…great idea here!

  9. i love the idea of baking my fave trader joe’s candies…

  10. These are cooling as we speak! They look fantastic! I am wondering how they cut though, I’m wanting to use a heart shaped cookie cutter instead of the typical square. Will they crumble? I don’t want to mess them up, since I’m taking them to a party! Love your blog, the photography makes me drool!

    • Hi, Jordan. These weren’t terribly crumbly, but I’m not sure they’d stand up to a cookie cutter. You might try refrigerating them for a bit before you cut them. That might make them firm enough. Good luck and enjoy!

  11. These look absolutely delectable! Peanut butter and chocolate is always a good combination. Can’t wait to try them out! Thanks!

  12. Yes Please!! I will be trying them out this weekend 😉 Always looking for new ways to bring peanut butter and chocolate together…this definitely is a welcome twist on peanut butter chips in regular brownies 🙂

  13. digging your whole blog! but i wonder, how do you give away these great recipes without feeling robbed? [since i’m married to a native italian & people are always asking for recipes…this is question for someone with experience.] thx for your consideration.

  14. I am so excited to try these. I have the dark chocolate PB cups from Trader Joe’s but not the minis. It will be worth the trip to go get them. Your photos are really stunning, and they sealed the deal for me.

  15. Thank you for sharing a great recipe. I like the idea of the chocolate cups. Your blog is wonderful, I am having a great time reading your posts. Keep up the good work!

  16. Looks really tasty!

  17. I’m very excited to give this recipe a try. It’s really nice to see a chocalate and peanut butter tandem here in your blog. Great job!

  18. Wowza! You just made my forties. Thank you!

    Gary

  19. Congrats! This is really mouth watering and indulging too. Such great ideas and beautiful pictures.

  20. Jennifer, these blondies look so delicious! I love pb & chocolate together, too. They compliment each other perfectly.

  21. Great photos, great taste too I am assuming, something I have to try 🙂
    shared the recipe on my blog, hope you don’t mind

  22. These look gorgeous.Love your blog,have been reading it for a few years,but this is my first time commenting. I love peanut butter and chocolate combo too..I don’t think th emini cups are widely avaialble in the UK, ill have to try and source some! Zeinab.

  23. I love peanuts especially that it is healthy for the heart and a chocolate is an addition which make the food looks astounding. These two are great combinations and make the result a delightful one.

  24. These look so good!! I keep these TJ’s mini cups in the freezer bc they’re so perfect for baking. This is my FAVORITE recipe with them: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/chocolate-peanut-butter-cookies-recipe
    Off to try yours!!!

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