Dreamy Peppermint Gooey Bars Recipe: Sweet Holiday Magic!

Chocolate and peppermint create pure magic in these heavenly peppermint gooey bars that promise an irresistible dessert experience.

Layers of rich chocolate meld perfectly with cool, crisp peppermint notes.

Every bite delivers a decadent blend of sweet and refreshing flavors.

The soft, gooey texture melts in your mouth, leaving behind a delightful minty essence.

Crumbly chocolate base supports a creamy peppermint filling that makes this treat utterly unforgettable.

These bars are the ultimate holiday indulgence or year-round comfort dessert.

Whip up this easy recipe and watch everyone’s eyes light up with pure delight.

Tools to Bake and Layer Peppermint Gooey Bars

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining cake mix, butter, egg, and extracts smoothly.
• 9×9-inch baking pan: Perfect size for creating layered peppermint bars.
• Parchment paper or cooking spray: Ensures easy removal and prevents sticking.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helps accurately measure ingredients for consistent results.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for mixing dough and spreading ingredients evenly.
• Baking mitt: Protects hands when handling hot pan from the oven.
• Knife or bench scraper: Useful for cutting bars into clean, even squares.

How to Make Gooey Bars With a Peppermint Twist

• Warm Up the Oven

Get your oven ready by heating it to 350°F and prep a 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper or a quick spray of cooking oil.

• Create the Base Layer

Blend cake mix, melted butter, egg, vanilla, and peppermint extract in a big bowl until everything comes together smoothly. Press about two-thirds of this mixture into the prepared pan, creating a solid foundation.

• Build the Flavor Landscape

Scatter white chocolate chips and crushed candy canes across the base layer. Drizzle sweetened condensed milk evenly over the top, letting it seep into all the delicious nooks and crannies.

• Top and Bake

Crumble the remaining dough over the surface, allowing some spaces to peek through. Pop the pan into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown and the center looks set but still wonderfully gooey.

• Chill and Slice

Allow the bars to cool completely for about an hour. This waiting time helps them set perfectly. For an extra festive touch, sprinkle some additional crushed candy canes on top before serving.

Toppings That Pair Well With Peppermint Gooey Bars

• Chill the bars completely before cutting to get clean, sharp edges and prevent crumbling.
• Prepare these bars up to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container at room temperature for maximum convenience.
• Swap the regular cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix to make this recipe celiac-safe without sacrificing flavor.
• Package these bars in cute festive tins or wrapped parchment for a delightful homemade holiday treat that everyone will love.
• Replace sweetened condensed milk with coconut condensed milk and use dairy-free white chocolate chips to create a lactose-free version of this delicious dessert.

Serve Peppermint Gooey Bars for Winter Treats

• Holiday Dessert Centerpiece: Create a stunning holiday dessert platter featuring these peppermint gooey bars as the star, surrounded by simple sugar cookies and chocolate truffles for a festive display.
• Cozy Winter Pairing: Serve warm bars alongside a steaming mug of hot cocoa or peppermint mocha for the ultimate winter comfort treat that warms both heart and soul.
• Gift-Worthy Presentation: Package individual bars in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, making them perfect homemade gifts for neighbors, teachers, or holiday party hosts.
• Dessert Bar Showstopper: Arrange bars on a decorative wooden board with sprigs of fresh mint, candy canes, and a dusting of powdered sugar to create an Instagram-worthy dessert presentation that'll impress everyone.

Tips to Store Peppermint Bars and Keep Them Soft

• Allow bars to cool completely at room temperature for at least 1 hour, enabling them to set and become easier to slice cleanly.
• Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen bars maintain quality for up to 2 months, perfect for make-ahead dessert planning.
• Avoid storing near heat sources or direct sunlight, which can cause chocolate chips to melt and compromise the bar's texture and appearance.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 149 kcal

Servings: 12

What You Need for Peppermint Gooey Bars

• Cake Mix: Provides a convenient and quick foundation for the bars, ensuring a soft and tender texture.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps bind the base ingredients together, creating a moist and flavorful crust.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients and contributes to the structure of the base.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm and sweet notes.
• Peppermint Extract: Infuses a cool, refreshing minty flavor that defines the festive character of the bars.

• White Chocolate Chips: Melts into a creamy layer, adding sweetness and luxurious texture.
• Crushed Candy Canes: Provides a delightful crunch and traditional peppermint flavor, creating a festive visual appeal.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creates a gooey, rich center that holds the bars together and adds intense sweetness.

• Crushed Candy Canes: Offers an extra festive sprinkle and additional peppermint crunch on top of the bars.

Heavenly Peppermint Gooey Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Sweet and sinful Peppermint Gooey Bars melt chocolate and mint into holiday heaven. Winter desserts rarely compete with this rich, creamy indulgence that delights holiday gatherings with irresistible charm.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 can (14 oz / 397 g) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup (180 g / 6.35 oz) white chocolate chips
• 1 box (15.25 oz / 432 g) white or vanilla cake mix
• ½ cup (115 g / 4 oz) unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup (60 g / 2.12 oz) crushed candy canes
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp peppermint extract

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Calibrate oven to 350°F (175°C) and ready a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper or light grease.
2. Base Formation: Amalgamate cake mix, melted butter, egg, vanilla, and peppermint extract into a cohesive mixture. Compress ⅔ of the dough uniformly across the pan’s bottom, creating a solid foundation.
3. Layering & Coverage: Distribute white chocolate chips and pulverized candy canes across the dough base. Cascade sweetened condensed milk evenly, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
4. Finishing & Baking: Delicately scatter remaining dough fragments atop the layer, allowing some pan surface to peek through. Transfer to preheated oven and roast for 25-30 minutes until edges transform to golden brown and center achieves a delicate, soft-set consistency.
5. Cooling & Presentation: Allow dessert to rest and stabilize for minimum one hour before sectioning into elegant bars. For enhanced visual appeal, garnish with additional crushed candy cane fragments, delivering a festive flourish.

Notes

• Line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean cutting of bars.
• Don’t overbake to maintain the signature gooey texture; remove when edges are golden but center remains slightly soft.
• Use high-quality peppermint extract for a more intense and authentic mint flavor profile.
• Substitute gluten-free cake mix and dairy-free alternatives for those with dietary restrictions, ensuring the same delicious result.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg