Peanut Butter Brownies Recipe

If you love a good mashup of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter, these Peanut Butter Brownies are about to become your new weakness. Each slice delivers thick, fudgy chocolate with dreamy peanut butter swirls, making every bite impossibly decadent and satisfying. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just treating yourself to something sweet, this recipe brings together pantry staples and a few minutes of mixing for the kind of brownies people can’t stop talking about. You get all the joys of two classic desserts in one irresistible bar!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Gather your essentials—these Peanut Butter Brownies come together with classic ingredients that each play a flavorful role. Simple on their own, together they create that perfect fudgy, gooey interior with ribbons of nutty, sweet peanut butter on top.

• 1 cup unsalted butter (melted): This ensures your brownies are dense, rich, and moist from the very first bite.
• 2 cups granulated sugar: Gives the brownies their signature sweetness and helps deliver that chewy, crackly top.
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder: The star for deep, chocolatey flavor—don’t skimp on quality here!
• 4 large eggs: These bind everything together and make each brownie thick and tender.
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract: Rounds out the chocolate and peanut butter flavors with warm, familiar notes.
• 1 cup all-purpose flour: Simple but essential, providing just enough structure for a fudgy crumb.
• ½ teaspoon salt: Balances all the sweetness and enhances the chocolate and peanut butter.
• ½ teaspoon baking powder: Gives a slight lift so your brownies aren’t too dense.
• ¾ cup creamy peanut butter: For the iconic swirls that make these brownies stand out—smooth, nutty, and luxurious.
• ½ cup powdered sugar: Sweetens the peanut butter into a swirlable, melt-in-your-mouth layer.
• 2 tablespoons milk: Helps smooth out the peanut butter mixture for perfect marbling.
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract: Layers even more comforting flavor into the peanut butter swirl.
• ½ cup peanut butter chips (optional): Fold these in or sprinkle on top for bites loaded with extra peanut butter goodness.

How to Make Peanut Butter Brownies

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for effortless removal, or grease it lightly if you don’t have parchment. This ensures your Peanut Butter Brownies lift out with ease and stay perfectly intact.

Step 2: Mix the Chocolate Brownie Batter

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, and cocoa powder until the mixture turns glossy and smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition to create that dense, chewy texture. Stir in the vanilla extract for a fragrant, rich base.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients

Sprinkle the flour, salt, and baking powder over the wet mixture. Gently fold everything together with a spatula or wooden spoon, just until no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to over-mix; this ensures your brownies stay fudgy rather than cakey.

Step 4: Prepare the Peanut Butter Swirl

In a separate small bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth and blended—a little patience here yields perfectly creamy ribbons that swirl beautifully through the batter.

Step 5: Assemble and Swirl

Pour the chocolate brownie batter into your prepared pan and smooth it out to the edges. Drop generous spoonfuls of the peanut butter mixture all over the surface. Take a butter knife and gently drag it through both batters to create stunning swirls—this step turns every slice into edible art.

Step 6: Add Toppings and Bake

If you’re going extra (and why not?), sprinkle peanut butter chips across the top for extra bursts of creamy flavor. Slide your pan into the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick poked in the center comes out with moist crumbs (not clean—you want these fudgy!).

Step 7: Cool and Slice

Once baked, let your Peanut Butter Brownies cool completely in the pan. This patience pays off with neat, satisfying squares when you slice them—gooey centers and crisp edges galore!

How to Serve Peanut Butter Brownies

Garnishes

Nothing elevates Peanut Butter Brownies quite like a drizzle of extra melted peanut butter or chocolate on top. Dust with a little powdered sugar or scatter additional peanut butter chips for extra flair. For a classic touch, a scoop of vanilla ice cream paired with a warm brownie shortly after slicing is pure dessert happiness.

Side Dishes

While these decadent brownies shine all on their own, they truly sing alongside a glass of cold milk, a robust coffee, or even a creamy latte. For a more indulgent treat, serve with fresh strawberries or raspberries to cut through the richness with a burst of fruity, tangy contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack brownie squares in a rustic tower and tie with a ribbon for a homemade gift, or use a biscuit cutter to create round, bakery-style treats. For a party platter, cut them into bite-sized pieces and top each with a mini peanut butter cup or chocolate curl for an adorable, crowd-pleasing display.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover Peanut Butter Brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. They’re best enjoyed slightly warm, but the fudgy texture holds up beautifully even a few days after baking.

Freezing

To freeze, wrap individual brownie squares tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll stay fresh for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature or microwave gently for a fast treat whenever chocolate and peanut butter cravings strike.

Reheating

For that just-baked taste, pop a brownie into the microwave for 10–15 seconds until barely warm and extra gooey. If reheating a larger batch, arrange them on a baking sheet and warm in a low oven (about 300°F) for five minutes to gently revive their fudgy centers.

FAQs

Can I use natural peanut butter instead of creamy peanut butter?

Yes, you can use natural peanut butter, but keep in mind it’s often runnier and may not swirl quite as beautifully. If using it, give the peanut butter mixture a good stir to ensure smoothness, and you may need to reduce the milk slightly for thicker consistency.

Do I have to use peanut butter chips on top?

No, the chips are purely optional—they simply deliver extra peanut butter flavor and a delicious, melty texture on top. Your Peanut Butter Brownies will still be outstandingly decadent without them!

How do I know when my brownies are done?

Look for set edges and a center that’s just barely cooked—insert a toothpick near the center and look for moist crumbs (not raw batter and not completely clean). Overbaking can make them dry, so err on the side of fudgy!

Can I make these brownies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap in a good quality 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend in place of regular all-purpose flour. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so you’ll still get that memorable taste and texture.

Why do the brownies need to cool completely before cutting?

This step is key for clean slices and maintaining that gooey, fudgy center. If you cut while still warm, the brownies might fall apart or stick to your knife. Patience brings perfect Peanut Butter Brownies!

Final Thoughts

If you’re on the hunt for a crowd-pleasing treat with rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter in every bite, these Peanut Butter Brownies have you covered. Dive in, share with friends and family, or keep them all for yourself—either way, every chewy, swirled square is guaranteed to hit the spot!

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