Are you looking for an easy potluck dessert that everyone will love? These Peanut Butter Caramel Bars have sweet peanut butter cups added to the cake mix with a layer of caramel and crunchy peanuts topped with rich chocolate icing tastes like a Snickers Bar on top. We can not stop eating these!
This post is sponsored by the Ohio State Fair, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Peanut Butter and Caramel Bars
I have several great cake recipes from a box mix, but this is my first cookie recipe from a box mix and we LOVE it! I had no idea such rich and fancy tasting cookies could be so easy to make! A layer of cookies, topped with a caramel and peanut butter candy like layer and frosted with chocolate icing is AMAZING!
After making this recipe I had to whip up some Cheesecake Cookie Bars from a box mix. I love all of these variations of easy bar cookies!
A lot of people love peanuts, so sprinkle more peanuts on top of the chocolate icing if that’s your thing. I plan to make these cookies again without peanuts. There are so many delicious options with this recipe! When you have a cookie with peanut butter cups in the dough and it’s topped with layers that taste like a Snickers Bar, it’s pretty irresistible! The peanuts do add a nice, unexpected texture to bar cookies.
This is another recipe that my mom saved from my 4-H days. I participated in several baking contests through 4-H and this was one of the winning recipes that was published and my mom saved. Since it was a winner
CULINARY ARTS COOKING AND BAKING CONTESTS AT THE OHIO STATE FAIR
The Ohio State Fair asked me to share details about their Culinary Arts contests. These contests are a long-standing tradition at the fair. There is so much to do at the fair one day just isn’t enough! As someone who visits the Ohio State Fair multiple times each year, I have to admit that sometimes I miss looking at the competition entries.
New in 2019 the Culinary Arts and Baking Contest entries will be on display in Kasich Hall. This is the newest building on the fairgrounds and it is near 17th Avenue. A great reason to pop in and see the exhibits is the building is air conditioned! On a hot summer day, it’s important to know where to go to take a break at the fair.
There is over $15,000 in prize money offered in reward money for the culinary and baking arts competitions! The ribbons are also pretty fun. Peanut Butter Caramel Bars are so good I’m going to enter them in the “Cake Box Cookie” class under the cookie division. So the big question is – do you have a better recipe or can you make this one better than me?
While I would love to win a ribbon and some prize money I look forward to a new hobby this summer! I haven’t done the best at taking time to have a hobby for myself and this competition will be something that I do to have fun this summer! I hope you consider entering too!
How to Make Peanut Butter Caramel Bar Cookies from a Box Mix
- Grease 13 x 9-inch pan. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, combine cake mix, margarine, egg, and chopped peanut butter cups. Mix well and press into greased pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 18 to 22 minutes.
- Just before cookies are done baking use a saucepan to combine caramel topping, peanut butter, and cornstarch.
- Cook and stir over low heat until peanut butter is melted. Remove from heat and stir in peanuts. Spread evenly over crust.
- Return to oven and bake for 5 to 7 minutes until almost set. Cool completely.
- Spread chocolate icing over bar cookies. Top with additional peanuts if desired
Tips for Making Peanut Butter Caramel Bar Cookies
- Have all ingredients ready and read through the entire recipe before beginning
- Use a heaping cup of chopped peanut butter cups – a little extra is better in this case
- It takes a few minutes to press the cookie dough into the pan – make sure it is spread evenly throughout the pan
- Don’t overbake the cookies since there is a caramel, peanut butter layer to pour on and additional baking time
- If you would like the icing to stay solid and set be sure to cool the cookies completely or the icing will run
Other Easy Potluck Desserts Our Family Loves
- Classic Peanut Butter Balls
- Pay Day Crunch Bars
- Peanut Butter Pie
- Big Batch Homemade Brownies
- Chocolate Cream Cheese Crescent Bars
- Chocolate Dessert Pizza
Printable Recipe for Peanut Butter Caramel Bar Cookies
Peanut Butter Caramel Bars
Ingredients
Bar Cookies
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup mini peanut butter cups chopped
Peanut Caramel Topping
- 14 ounce jar caramel ice cream topping
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 cup salted cocktail peanuts
Chocolate Icing
- 1 can prepared chocolate icing
Instructions
- Grease 13 x 9-inch pan. Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, margarine, egg and chopped peanut butter cups. Mix well and press into greased pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 18 to 22 minutes.
- Just before cookies are done baking use a saucepan to combine caramel topping, peanut butter, and cornstarch. Cook and stir over low heat until peanut butter is melted. Remove from heat and stir in peanuts. Spread evenly over crust. Return to oven and bake for 5 to 7 minutes until almost set. Cool completely.
- Spread chocolate icing over bar cookies. Top with additional peanuts if desired.
Notes
- Have all ingredients ready and read through the entire recipe before beginning
- Use a heaping cup of chopped peanut butter cups – a little extra is better in this case
- It takes a few minutes to press the cookie dough into the pan – make sure it is spread evenly throughout the pan
- Don’t overbake the cookies since there is a caramel, peanut butter layer to pour on and additional baking time
- If you would like the icing to stay solid and set be sure to cool the cookies completely or the icing will run
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition
These are amazing!
These are some of our favorite cookie bars too! Thanks so much for the note!
Made this for my son-in-law, the whole family loved it.