Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies
I present these fudgy brownies like Reese’s peanut butter cups on steroids for all the chocolate peanut butter fans. They’re rich, decadent, and borderline gooey on the inside. In other words, they are the ultimate peanut butter chocolate brownies.
These treats have a double dose of peanut butter, starting with the simple swirl on top and a layer sandwiched inside between the fudgy brownie parts. A match made in heaven, a dream dessert bar for those afflicted with a severe sweet tooth, and the best way to treat yourself for… well, do we really need a reason to treat ourselves?
Ingredients
- Creamy peanut butter
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- 2% milk
- Unsalted butter
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Large eggs
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Salt
- Peanut butter chips
There’s nothing complicated about this recipe, but there are a few parts that take a little time. They’re quite a few steps above a boxed brownie mix and totally worth the effort.
These peanut butter swirl brownies aren’t everyday brownies by any means. No, these decadent bites are like a little black dress taken out of the closet for a special occasion.
How to Make Them
First, you’ll make the peanut butter layer. It’s peanut butter thickened with powdered sugar and molded to fit the baking dish. Once it’s made, set it aside.
Next, you’ll make the brownie batter. For the best results, mix the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another bowl. Fold the flour mixture into the chocolate mixture until just combined. This will ensure you don’t overmix the brownie batter.
Spread half of the batter in the prepared pan. Top the batter with the peanut butter layer you made earlier, then spread the brownie batter over the top.
For the finishing touch, add the peanut butter swirl on top. Just melt creamy peanut butter and peanut butter chips until smooth. Use a spatula or spoon to drizzle it on top of the batter. Use a dinner knife to swirl the peanut butter into the batter.
Bake the brownies for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool them in the pan before removing and slicing. Lining the baking pan with parchment makes it easy to lift them out in one piece before you slice them.
More Chocolate Desserts
Flourless Chocolate Cake | Mocha Pudding Cake | Chocolate Mug Cake | Nutella Pudding
Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies
Fudgy and rich peanut butter brownies with a layer of peanut butter filling baked inside and a swirl of it on top. If you’re a fan of peanut butter cups, you will love this brownie recipe.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 16 brownies 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Peanut Butter Filling
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon 2% milk
Brownie Batter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Peanut Butter Swirl Topping
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cut a piece of parchment paper that is larger than a 9×9″ baking pan.
Make the Peanut Butter Filling:
- Mix the peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk in a large bowl with a hand mixer. The mixture is ready when it holds together when you press it.
- Place the parchment paper in the baking pan. Scoop the peanut butter mixture out of the bowl and place it on the parchment paper. Press the mixture into the pan with your hands so it is in an even layer and filling the pan. Use the parchment paper to lift it out and then set it aside.
Make the Brownie Batter:
- Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Place the butter and chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt them in the microwave in 30-second increments. Stir between each increment until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Mix the melted chocolate with both kinds of sugar in a large mixing bowl. It will look a little grainy, which is fine. Add the vanilla, and then add the eggs one at a time, mixing until the batter is smooth after each egg addition.
- Gently fold in the dry ingredients to the wet ones until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
- Grease the 9×9 square pan with non-stick cooking spray or line the pan with parchment paper.
- Place half of the brownie mixture into the pan and spread it into an even layer.
- Cut the formed peanut butter filling into four squares using a small knife. Peel the parchment paper off the peanut butter and place the filling pieces on the batter so the layer covers the brownie batter.
- Top the filling with the rest of the brownie batter and spread it into an even layer.
Make the Peanut Butter Swirl Topping
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the creamy peanut butter and peanut butter chips in the microwave for approximately 40 seconds. Stir until smooth.
- Using a spoon, drop dollops of the topping onto the batter.
- To make the swirl design on the surface, use a knife to run lines on the top layer of brownie batter (you do not need to cut down through the peanut butter filling).
Bake the Brownies
- Bake the brownies for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool them in the pan before removing and slicing.
Notes
This recipe works best in a 9×9″ baking pan. I’ve tested it in an 8×8″ pan, but I didn’t like how thick the brownies ended up.
It’s optional, but lining the pan with parchment paper makes it easy to lift the baked brownies out of the pan in one piece before slicing them. If you don’t use parchment, coat the pan with cooking spray.
Even though it’s tempting, waiting until the brownies are completely cooled before you slice them is better. If you slice them when warm, you won’t get clean slices, and the brownies may not hold together well.
If you are not serving them right away, you can wrap the brownies in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container. They will keep at room temperature for a few days.
You can freeze them, too. Wrap the individual brownies in plastic wrap and store them in a large freezer bag or container. They will keep for several months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 327
- Sugar: 30.6g
- Sodium: 116.6mg
- Fat: 18.7g
- Saturated Fat: 8.4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37.1g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6.3g
- Cholesterol: 50.3mg
The nutrition is an estimate only. It was calculated using Nutrifox, an online nutrition calculator.
More Dessert Bars
Make a batch of these peanut butter brownies for you or someone you are trying to win over and thoroughly impress. They are a show-stopper, for sure. Enjoy!
Happy baking,
This post has been updated from the archives. It was first published in November 2009.
First I read brownies and was drooling. When I realized there was peanut butter, I bookmarked immediately. These are beautiful!
Brownies are my weakness! These look fabulous and I do agree one bite brownies never cut it!!
I’m drooling just reading the title and when I saw the photos it got even worst. Well, there’s no excuse for me not to make it as they are simple to make.
These look amazing and I agree re: the store bought versions. This looks WAAAAAY better!
ooooh…I love brownies, esp the chewy ones. These look sooo goood….mmm
These really do look fantastic! You can tell they will have a good, “real” taste to them, not like that weird non-taste you get with shop-made ones 🙂
must. have some. these look so divine.
Oh my, these look amazing!
I could eat the batter on it’s own, it looks fantastic.
Awesome post. Will certainly make this, looks simple to tackle.
Peanut butter + chocolate …. oh, yeah.
Oh I’m definitely saving this recipe! This looks amazing!
Also, can I ask – how did you get your template? I love the 3 columns with the color only the background but am having a hard time finding anything online. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank!!!
looks amazingly delish – tempted to start up a batch right now…maybe if I took a few to the office no one would care that I am late…
Would love to have a plate of these right now!
I like the “one-bite brownie just doesn’t cut it” comment.
Agreed! Thanks for a great recipe!