What’s better than brownies? Peanut Butter Brownies! These decadent chocolate morsels are topped with swirls of peanut butter that elevate them to new heights.
Brownies are one of my favorite desserts, and I think my daughter takes after me—brownies, lava cake, or anything chocolatey, and we are in a sugary bliss. Of course, I like my treats to be as chocolatey and gooey as possible, and these peanut butter brownies deliver on all fronts.
You get the fudgy chocolatey goodness combined with the salty deliciousness of peanut butter for a mouth-watering treat. Whether you like the outside pieces of brownie with their crusty edges or the inside pieces that are still gooey and moist, you will not want to stop eating after your first bite. I’m lucky—my daughter likes the outside, and I like the inside. It’s perfect!
Why I Love This Recipe
Do you even need to ask? It’s a brownie, and it has peanut butter! Enough said. Okay, you want more. How about the fact that peanut butter brownies are easy to make and require only nine ingredients? Melt, mix, pour, bake, eat! That’s it—nice and simple.
I will tell you that the secret to making the best brownies is the choice of ingredients. Don’t skimp here. Pay more for high-quality 100% cocoa powder and peanut butter without additives. Just stir the peanut butter well before using, as nut butter can separate in the jar. If you want to add chocolate chips or chunks to these brownies, use the best you can find. It makes a difference in the taste of your treats.
Swirling the Peanut Butter vs. Mixing It Into the Batter
When you swirl your peanut butter into the batter in the baking pan, you create a visual masterpiece that looks as pretty as it tastes. You get distinct bites of peanut butter separate from the chocolate, creating a delicious contrast in your mouth. If you were to mix the peanut butter into the brownie batter, the flavors would get muted, and the color of your brownies would be a bit lighter. It’s just not the same.
That’s not to say there aren’t recipes that mix nut butter into the batter. Plenty are really good, but they are different from this one. As I’ve always said—you can never have enough brownie recipes. Each one is unique, and they all bring something new to the table. When swirling your peanut butter, do it gently and quickly. You do not want much swirling as that would mix the nut butter into the batter. If desired, you can layer the peanut butter by putting half the batter into the pan, adding dollops of peanut butter, and then topping with the remaining batter.
How to Make Ahead and Store
Brownies are room temperature stable for up to 4 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days. Either way, put them in an airtight container. You can freeze them for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container or zipper bag. Defrost them overnight in the fridge or on the counter until they reach room temperature. Or enjoy them straight from the freezer if you like.
Serving Suggestions
I like to have something chocolatey for dessert, especially after highly savory meals such as Greek Pasta Salad, Chicken Slow Cooker Enchiladas, or Crock Pot Beef Stew. For a special treat, warm the brownies and top them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of fudge, caramel, or peanut butter syrup. Yum!
Peanut Butter Brownies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in granulated sugar and brown sugar until well combined.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well after each addition.
- Sift together flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly.
- Dollop peanut butter by teaspoonfuls over the batter. Use a knife to swirl the peanut butter into the batter, creating a marbled effect.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Allow to cool in the pan on a wire rack before slicing into squares.
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