Description
These Peppermint Gooey Bars are a decadent holiday treat with a rich chocolate base, gooey layers of sweetened condensed milk, and festive peppermint crunch. Topped with coarsely crushed candy canes, they’re a perfect balance of chocolatey goodness and refreshing mint flavor!
Ingredients
-
1 box (approximately 15 oz) chocolate cake mix
-
1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
-
1 large egg
-
1/2 cup (85 g) semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
-
1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips
-
1/2 cup (118 ml) sweetened condensed milk
-
1/3 cup coarsely crushed candy canes (about 10 mini candy canes, optional)
Instructions
-
Prepare the Dough:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, softened butter, and egg. Stir until well combined and a dough forms. -
Press the Dough:
Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, forming a smooth layer. -
Add the Toppings:
Sprinkle the chocolate chips and Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips evenly over the dough layer.
Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over the top, making sure to cover as much of the surface as possible. -
Add the Final Layer:
Take the remaining dough and crumble it over the top of the sweetened condensed milk layer. You don’t need to fully cover it—just sprinkle small clumps of dough evenly across the surface. -
Bake:
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the bars are set and golden brown around the edges. The center should be slightly gooey but not overly liquid. - Cool and Serve:
Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. If using, sprinkle coarsely crushed candy canes on top. Let the bars cool completely before cutting into squares.
Notes
-
For extra minty flavor, you can add a few drops of peppermint extract to the dough.
- These bars store well at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, or you can refrigerate them for longer shelf life.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American