Peanut Butter Brownies Recipe

Irresistibly Gooey Peanut Butter Brownies Recipe for Chocoholics

Decadent chocolate brownies swirled with creamy peanut butter create an irresistible dessert that promises pure indulgence.

These fudgy squares blend rich cocoa with nutty, smooth peanut butter for a mouthwatering treat.

Every bite delivers a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors that dance across your palate.

The dense, chewy texture makes these brownies a standout dessert for any occasion.

Chocolate and peanut butter lovers will adore this simple yet elegant recipe that comes together in minutes.

Baking these brownies fills your kitchen with an intoxicating aroma that draws everyone to the counter.

You won’t be able to resist cutting into these warm, gooey squares of pure bliss.

Brownie-Making Advice for a Fudgy Bite

  • Use exact measurements for flour, cocoa powder, and chocolate chips to ensure the perfect brownie texture and rich flavor.
  • Cover the pan with foil halfway through baking to protect the peanut butter swirls from over-browning and maintain a moist interior.
  • Melt chocolate chips slowly off the heat to prevent burning, creating a smooth and glossy chocolate base.
  • Allow brownies to cool entirely before cutting to achieve clean, fudgy squares that hold their shape.
  • Use a light touch when creating peanut butter swirls to maintain beautiful marbled patterns without overmixing.

Peanut Butter Brownie Variations

  • Gluten-Free Brownies: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
  • Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies: Substitute eggs with mashed banana or flax eggs, use dairy-free chocolate chips, and swap butter with coconut oil.
  • Nutty Alternative Brownies: Replace peanut butter with almond butter or cashew butter for different flavor profiles and added nutritional variety.
  • Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of regular sugar, and incorporate dark chocolate with higher cocoa content to reduce overall sugar intake.

Serving Suggestions for Brownies

  • Sweet Companion Delights: Serve these brownies alongside a cold glass of milk for the ultimate indulgent experience.
  • Dessert Plating Magic: Dust with powdered sugar and garnish with a few whole peanuts for a professional bakery-style presentation.
  • Ice Cream Dream: Top a warm brownie with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream for a decadent dessert that melts in your mouth.
  • Gift-Worthy Packaging: Wrap individual brownies in clear cellophane with a cute ribbon for a homemade treat perfect for gifting to friends and family.

Storing Brownies for Ultimate Freshness

  • Store brownies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
  • Wrap individual brownies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Label container with date.
  • Keep brownies at room temperature in sealed container for 2-3 days. Ensure environment is cool and dry to maintain texture.
  • Warm refrigerated brownies in microwave for 10-15 seconds. For frozen brownies, thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying. Microwave briefly to restore softness.

FAQs

  • Can I use natural peanut butter instead of regular peanut butter?

Natural peanut butter can work, but it might make the brownies slightly less creamy. Choose a smooth variety with minimal oil separation for best results.

  • How do I know when the brownies are perfectly baked?

Insert a toothpick near the center – it should come out with a few moist crumbs. The edges will look set and slightly pulled away from the pan sides.

  • What chocolate works best for these brownies?

Semi-sweet chocolate chips are ideal. They provide the right balance of sweetness and richness without making the brownies too bitter or too sweet.

  • Why do I need to let the chocolate mixture cool briefly?

Cooling prevents the eggs from scrambling when mixed in. It helps create a smooth, consistent batter that results in fudgy, tender brownies.

Fudgy Peanut Butter Brownies: Richness Redefined

  • These brownies deliver an intense chocolate experience with melted chocolate chips and cocoa powder, satisfying serious dessert lovers in minutes.
  • The peanut butter swirl technique adds a gourmet touch without complicated skills, making these brownies look professionally crafted with minimal effort.
  • Achieve a perfectly fudgy texture by carefully melting chocolate, combining ingredients gently, and baking just until the center sets, creating a rich, moist treat.
  • Adaptable recipe allows for personal twists like adding extra chocolate chips or experimenting with different nut butter variations for a unique dessert experience.

Brownie Ingredient Checklist

Main Ingredients:
  • Butter: A rich, creamy ingredient that adds moisture and flavor to the brownies.
  • Chocolate Chips: Provides intense chocolate taste and creates delightful melted pockets in the brownies.
  • Flour: Gives structure and body to the brownie base.
  • Cocoa Powder: Enhances the deep chocolate flavor and contributes to the rich brown color.
  • Peanut Butter: Adds a creamy, nutty swirl that complements the chocolate perfectly.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and help create a fudgy texture.
Sweeteners:
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and contribute to the soft, moist texture of the brownies.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and rounds out the chocolate and peanut butter flavors.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile of the brownies.

Brownie Baking Tools & Must-Haves

  • 8×8-inch square baking pan: Essential for creating perfectly sized brownies.
  • Parchment paper: Helps remove brownies easily and prevents sticking.
  • Small saucepan: Perfect for melting butter and chocolate smoothly.
  • Large mixing bowl: Needed for combining wet ingredients and chocolate.
  • Separate medium bowl: Used for mixing dry ingredients.
  • Whisk: Great for blending ingredients smoothly and preventing lumps.
  • Knife or skewer: Helps create beautiful peanut butter swirls.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Sifter: Creates lump-free flour and cocoa powder mixture.
  • Foil: Optional for covering brownies during baking to prevent over-browning.

Fudgy Peanut Butter Brownies in 4 Steps

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Space

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350F.

Grab an 8×8-inch baking pan and give it a quick spritz of baking spray.

Line the pan with parchment paper for easy brownie removal.

Step 2: Create Chocolate Magic

Grab a small saucepan and melt butter over medium heat.

Pull it off the stove and whisk in chocolate chips until they transform into a smooth, glossy mixture.

Transfer this chocolatey goodness to a large mixing bowl and let it cool down for a moment.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together:
  • Flour
  • Cocoa powder

Sprinkle in a pinch of salt and give everything a good whisk.

Step 4: Blend Wet Ingredients

Whisk together:
  • Sugars
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla

Fold these into your melted chocolate mixture until silky smooth.

Gently fold in the flour mixture, being careful not to overmix.

Stir in the remaining chocolate chips.

Step 5: Create Peanut Butter Swirl

Pour the brownie batter into your prepared pan.

Dollop spoonfuls of peanut butter across the top.

Use a knife or skewer to create beautiful swirls throughout the batter.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes.

The center should look set and firm.

If the peanut butter starts browning too quickly, loosely cover with foil after 25 minutes.

Let the brownies cool completely before slicing into indulgent squares.

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Peanut Butter Brownies Recipe

Peanut Butter Brownies Recipe


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4.6 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Creamy peanut butter brownies blend rich chocolate with smooth nutty swirls for ultimate dessert indulgence. Chocolate lovers will savor each decadent bite of this irresistible sweet treat.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup (227g / 8 ounces) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup (175g) semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup (113g) creamy peanut butter

Dry Ingredients:

  • 1 1/4 cups (150g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (220g) firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (50g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Flavor Enhancers:

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking vessel by heating the oven to 350°F. Coat an 8×8-inch square pan with cooking spray and create a parchment paper sling for easy removal.
  2. Create a chocolate base by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Remove from stove and incorporate half the chocolate chips, stirring until smooth. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and allow to cool slightly.
  3. Sift flour and cocoa powder together in a separate bowl. Integrate salt into the dry ingredients using a whisk.
  4. Develop the wet mixture by blending sugars, eggs, and vanilla into the melted chocolate until achieving a uniform consistency. Gently fold in the flour mixture, being careful not to overmix. Incorporate remaining chocolate chips.
  5. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, ensuring an even distribution. Dot the surface with small spoonfuls of peanut butter, creating a marbled effect by gently swirling with a knife.
  6. Bake for 40-45 minutes, monitoring for a set center. If peanut butter begins to brown too quickly, cover with aluminum foil after 25 minutes.
  7. Allow brownies to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares, ensuring clean and precise slices.

Notes

  • Chocolate Quality Matters Use high-quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips for deeper, richer flavor that elevates the entire brownie experience.
  • Peanut Butter Technique Ensure peanut butter is at room temperature for easier swirling and more even distribution throughout the brownie batter.
  • Texture Perfection Remove brownies from oven when center is slightly underbaked for that signature fudgy, moist texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Storage Secret Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for maximum freshness and a firmer consistency.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 36g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg
Marcus Reed

Marcus Reed

Founder & Food Content Creator

Expertise

Single-recipe development, Seasonal and local ingredient utilization, Food photography and styling, Culinary writing and content creation​

Education

Culinary Arts Certificate, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, WV
Focus: Fundamentals of culinary techniques, emphasizing hands-on experience in small-scale kitchen settings.


Marcus’s story begins in Asheville, where good food and family kitchens shaped his earliest memories. After hands-on culinary training and a lot of trial (and a little error), he realized that real cooking isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection.
At Pan and Oven, Marcus crafts recipes that are easy to follow, packed with flavor, and built for real kitchens.

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