Death by Peanut Butter and Chocolate Brownies

Gooey dark chocolate and peanut butter brownies, topped with creamy peanut butter frosting. This is not a brownie, this is a brownie experience.

After putting my little son to bed after trick-or-treating last Friday, the obvious thing to do next was root through his candy haul. Turns out he had quite the stash of peanut butter cups in that little plastic pumpkin bucket. My husband and I happily helped ourselves, secure in the knowledge there would be plenty left over, and my little guy innocently snoring away would be none the wiser about his candy-stealing parents. I was definitely feeling the peanut butter and chocolate love.

Peanut butter and chocolate are the power couple of desserts. They can do no wrong, we always want more of them, and most importantly, there’s no chance of a break-up any time soon.

These decadent, no-holds barred brownies have cocoa, dark chocolate chunks and peanut butter baked into the batter. They’re fudgy and gooey with delicious crunchy corners, just the way I like it (and hopefully how you like it too). But the peanut butter doesn’t stop with the batter. Creamy peanut butter frosting tops the brownies off and pushes the indulgence envelope. 

Tall glasses of ice-cold milk required!

Death by Peanut Butter and Chocolate Brownies

• Servings: 15 - 20 brownies
• Time: 1.5 hours
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INGREDIENTS

Brownies

• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter*
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate, coarsely chopped into chunks

Peanut Butter Frosting

• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3/4 cup smooth peanut butter*
• 1 cup confectioner’s sugar, sifted
• 3-5 tablespoons milk

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat oven to 350°. Line an 8″ square baking pan with foil, making sure the foil hangs over the sides. Lightly grease.
• Beat the butter until light and fluffy. Add the peanut butter and cream  until smooth.
• Add the sugar and cocoa powder and stir until smooth and combined. Add in the eggs one a time, then add the vanilla, stirring until well combined.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
• Fold the flour mixture into the peanut butter mixture, mixing just until combined. Gently fold in the chocolate chunks.
• Pour batter into the prepared 8″ square pan and bake 35 – 37 minutes. Cool completely.
• While the brownies are cooling, prepare the peanut butter frosting. Beat the butter and peanut butter together until smooth.
• Slowly add in the confectioner’s sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time until completely smooth and blended. Add in the milk, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
• Smooth frosting evenly over the brownies.

*I always try and use the most natural ingredients whenever possible. I’m a big fan of making my own nut butters, but unfortunately, my homemade peanut butter just didn’t cut it in this recipe – the brownies were overly oily, and the buttercream was a mess. So, I’m going to fully recommend that awesomely delicious super market peanut butter full of sugar and artificial stabilizers. Enjoy it, because it makes these brownies a DREAM!

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