Throw whole unwrapped Mary Jane peanut butter molasses candies in the oven-safe metal sheet pan with 4 other pantry staples to get a sweet so good your family will swear you spent hours

These Oven Baked 5-Ingredient Molasses Peanut Butter Bars feature a rich, chewy peanut butter base baked over classic Mary Jane candies. As the bars bake, the candies soften and melt into gooey pockets of dark molasses and peanut butter flavor throughout every square.

Oven Baked 5-Ingredient Molasses Peanut Butter Bars

Ingredients:

Step-By-Step Directions:

1. Preheat and prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease an 8×8-inch metal baking pan. Arrange the unwrapped Mary Jane candies in an even layer across the bottom of the pan.

2. Mix batter: In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the creamy peanut butter, packed light brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully combined.

3. Assemble: Spoon the thick batter over the arranged candies, using a spatula to gently spread it into an even layer so the candies are mostly covered.

4. Bake: Bake for 22 to 26 minutes, until the top is set and the edges are lightly golden brown (the center will remain soft).

5. Cool and slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan so the melted candies set into chewy pockets before slicing into 16 squares.