If you have a soft spot for nostalgic, chewy treats with the perfect balance of peanut butter and marshmallow, you are going to fall in love with this Fluffernutter Bars Recipe. These bars bring together the rich, nutty flavor of smooth peanut butter and the sweet, airy delight of marshmallow fluff, all baked into a buttery, tender cookie base. It’s a crowd-pleaser that tastes like cozy childhood memories wrapped up in a bar, perfect for sharing with family and friends or enjoying as an irresistible snack any time of day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of simple, everyday ingredients, this Fluffernutter Bars Recipe comes together without fuss. Each ingredient plays an important role, from the rich peanut butter that brings creaminess and depth, to the fluffy marshmallow that adds light sweetness and texture, making every bite unforgettable.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/4 cups): Provides the perfect structure for a soft yet sturdy base that holds all the flavors.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Helps create a gentle rise for that ideal chewy texture.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances the peanut butter’s natural flavor.
- Unsalted butter (3/4 cup, softened): Adds richness and a tender crumb to the bars.
- Brown sugar (3/4 cup): Brings a deep molasses sweetness that complements the nutty peanut butter.
- White sugar (1/3 cup): Contributes light sweetness and aids in the perfect chewiness.
- Smooth peanut butter (1 1/2 cups): The star of the show, offering creamy texture and irresistible flavor.
- Large egg (1): Binds ingredients together for a cohesive dough.
- Large egg yolk (1, extra): Adds extra richness and moisture to the dough.
- Marshmallow fluff (7 oz jar): This sweet, airy topping creates the signature light and gooey layer that makes these bars so special.
How to Make Fluffernutter Bars Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Start by heating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, then position the oven rack right in the middle for even baking. Next, line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a nice overhang on the sides so you can easily lift out the bars later. If you don’t have parchment, aluminum foil lightly greased will work well too.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This simple trio forms the foundation of your dough and ensures that the bars bake up perfectly every time.
Step 3: Cream Together the Sugars and Butter
Grab a larger mixing bowl and beat the softened butter with both the brown and white sugars until the mixture is soft and creamy. This step is crucial because it helps bring all the ingredients together while adding body and moisture to the dough.
Step 4: Add Peanut Butter and Eggs
Next, beat in the smooth peanut butter until it’s fully combined, creating that luscious, nutty base. Then mix in the whole egg and the extra egg yolk—you’ll want to discard the other egg white—to add richness and help the dough bind beautifully.
Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
With your mixer on a low speed, gradually add the flour mixture bit by bit into the peanut butter batter. Mixing slowly prevents overworking the dough while ensuring everything is evenly combined and smooth.
Step 6: Reserve & Press Dough
Remove about one cup of the peanut butter dough and set it aside for topping later. Press the rest evenly into your prepared pan, making a firm layer that will serve as the delicious base for the bars.
Step 7: Bake the Base Layer
Slide the pan into your preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes, or until the edges look set and the top appears fully baked. This layer acts like a tender peanut butter cookie base that’s the perfect foundation for the marshmallow layer.
Step 8: Spread Marshmallow Fluff
After removing the pan from the oven, keep your oven on and gently spread the entire jar of marshmallow fluff over the warm peanut butter base. The heat helps the fluff spread easily into a deliciously gooey layer.
Step 9: Add Dough Pieces on Top
Pinch off pieces of the reserved peanut butter dough about the size of one inch. Flatten these pieces slightly and scatter them over the marshmallow fluff, covering about 80 to 90 percent of the surface. This creates a lovely textural contrast once baked.
Step 10: Final Bake
Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes. This last round of baking sets the dough pieces on top and melds all the layers into one irresistible treat.
Step 11: Cooling and Slicing
Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool fully at room temperature for at least one hour. Use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out of the pan, then lightly grease a sharp knife to prevent sticking and slice into 15 generous bars.
How to Serve Fluffernutter Bars Recipe
Garnishes
These Fluffernutter Bars are perfect as they are, but for an extra touch, sprinkle a handful of chopped peanuts or a light drizzle of melted chocolate on top just before serving. It adds a delightful crunch and a subtle chocolate peanut butter harmony that’s hard to resist.
Side Dishes
Serve these bars alongside a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee or tea. They also pair wonderfully with fresh fruit like sliced bananas or apple wedges for a well-rounded snack that balances sweetness and nutrition.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or gatherings, cut these bars into bite-sized squares and place them on a decorative platter with small forks or toothpicks. Alternatively, sandwich two bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream between them for a nostalgic dessert that will wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This keeps the bars soft and chewy, ready to enjoy whenever you crave a sweet pick-me-up.
Freezing
For longer storage, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Frozen bars will keep well for up to two months, making it easy to have a homemade treat whenever you want.
Reheating
To warm a bar, gently microwave it for 10 to 15 seconds to bring back that just-baked softness and gooey marshmallow goodness, perfect for cozy, comforting snacking moments.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth?
Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter will add a delightful nutty crunch to your bars, making the texture even more interesting and enjoyable.
Is it possible to make these bars gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that can be used cup-for-cup. Just ensure the baking blend contains xanthan gum or a similar binder to maintain the bars’ texture.
Can I use marshmallow creme instead of fluff?
Marshmallow creme is essentially the same as marshmallow fluff, so you can use it interchangeably without compromising the flavor or texture of the bars.
Why do I need to discard the extra egg white?
The recipe specifically calls for the egg yolk to add richness without extra moisture from the white, which keeps the dough tender and less cakey. Discarding the egg white helps achieve that perfect chewy texture.
How long will these bars stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, the bars stay fresh and delicious for about three days. Beyond that, freezing is recommended to preserve their wonderful taste and texture.
Final Thoughts
This Fluffernutter Bars Recipe is pure joy baked into a pan. Its combination of peanut butter, marshmallow fluff, and buttery dough captures the heart of classic flavor in a new, fun-to-share format. Whether you’re making it for yourself or to impress friends, these bars will quickly become a beloved staple in your dessert rotation. Give it a go and watch how quickly they disappear!
Print
Fluffernutter Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 15 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these delicious Fluffernutter Bars that combine the rich, nutty flavor of peanut butter with a sweet marshmallow fluff topping. These bars feature a buttery peanut butter cookie base, a fluffy marshmallow layer, and a crumbly peanut butter topping, baked to perfection for a gooey, chewy treat perfect for snacks or dessert.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients and Toppings
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 1 1/2 cups smooth peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk (in addition to the other egg, discard the white)
- 7 oz jar marshmallow fluff
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and position the oven rack in the middle for even baking.
- Prepare Pan: Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal, or alternatively use aluminum foil lightly greased.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and white sugar together until the mixture is soft and smooth.
- Add Peanut Butter and Eggs: Beat in the smooth peanut butter until fully incorporated, then add the whole egg and egg yolk, mixing until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually mix the dry flour mixture into the peanut butter batter with the mixer on low speed, adding about half at a time until fully combined.
- Separate Dough: Remove about 1 cup of the batter and set it aside for topping later.
- Form Bottom Layer: Press the remaining peanut butter dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to create an even base layer.
- Bake Base Layer: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the peanut butter layer looks fully set and lightly golden.
- Add Marshmallow Topping: Remove the pan from the oven, keeping the oven on. Carefully spread the entire jar of marshmallow fluff evenly over the baked peanut butter layer.
- Add Topping Dough: Pinch off pieces of the reserved peanut butter dough, flatten each piece slightly to about 1 inch in size, and distribute over the marshmallow fluff. Cover roughly 80-90% of the surface.
- Bake Top Layer: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the peanut butter topping is set.
- Cool Bars: Remove from oven and let the bars cool at room temperature for at least 1 hour to firm up before slicing.
- Remove from Pan: Use the parchment or foil overhang to lift the bars out of the pan onto a cutting board.
- Slice Bars: Lightly grease a thin, sharp knife with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking, then slice the bars into 15 servings.
Notes
- Using parchment paper with an overhang makes it much easier to remove the bars from the pan for slicing.
- Softened butter ensures the dough mixes well and creates a tender texture for the bars.
- Do not entirely cover the marshmallow layer with the peanut butter dough topping; some marshmallow peeks through for a delightful contrast.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing to prevent the marshmallow from sticking to the knife.
- This recipe can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for longer freshness.
