Peanut Butter Brownies

Rich and fudgy chocolate brownies swirled with creamy peanut butter, there isn't a better way to eat chocolate and peanut butter

Jump to:

• How to make the perfect swirls
• Ingredients
• Frequently Asked Questions
• 📖 Recipe

One of the best flavor combinations to exist is chocolate and peanut butter, so what could go better with a rich and fudgy chocolate brownie than swirls of creamy peanut butter.

If you are looking for the ultimate chocolate and peanut butter recipe this is the one!

How to make the perfect swirls

While swirling the peanut butter over the brownies is a pretty easy task, there are a couple of tips that can help take your peanut butter swirls to the next level!

Warm your peanut butter

Warming the peanut butter in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds helps it become a smoother consistency, perfect for swirling through the batter. If you don't heat it up the consistency is too thick and clumpy to create swirls

Leave space in between the dollops of peanut butter

Make sure you leave enough space between your dollops of peanut butter so that the brownie layer beneath is visible. If you cover the entire surface of the brownie with peanut butter, there won't be as much brownie batter peaking out through the swirls.

Draw lines through the batter

Rather than swirling the peanut butter through the batter aimlessly, draw 3-4 straight lines through the batter vertically and horizontally. This willl create evenly spaced beautiful swirls!

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter: Both unsalted and salted butter will work here. If you use salted butter don't add the pinch of salt later.
• Semi-sweet chocolate: I find semi-sweet chocolate the best in these kind of recipes as it adds more depth to the chocolate flavour. If you like a sweeter brownie then feel free to use milk chocolate, however I wouldn't recommend reducing the sugar as it changes the texture of the brownies.

• Large eggs: Eggs are important for the structure and texture of the brownies, it's also holds everything together
• Caster sugar: I use caster sugar in these brownies because we want the sugar to melt into the batter. If you don't have caster sugar, granulated sugar works well too.
• Flour: Plain/all-purpose flour does the job here!
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: I recommend using dutch processed cocoa powder here as it has had the acidity neutralised, giving a smoother and richer chocolate taste

• Baking powder: Necessary to give the brownies a little lift and break up the dense texture
• Salt: Essential to cutting through the sweetness of the sugar and chocolate
• Peanut butter: Make sure you use creamy butter over natural or crunchy. Creamy peanut butter gives the best flavor and bakes up to create the perfect peanut butter crust

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do these last?

These last up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Take them out of the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for 15 mins before consuming.

Can I freeze the brownies?

Yes, brownies are perfect for freezing! Simply wrap them individually and place them in the freezer. When ready to eat, defrost it on your countertop until it's room temperature.

You can also heat them in the microwave for a quick defrost and a gooier brownie.

Do I have to use creamy peanut butter?

I would highly recommend using creamy peanut butter over natural or crunchy.

Creamy peanut butter has added ingredients that help give it that smooth consistency. This is perfect when you need to swirl it into the batter and bake

Natural peanut butter is still swirlable, but when baked the peanut butter will be very dry and crumbly. On the other hand, creamy peanut butter bakes up perfectly!

How do I cut clean slices?

I like to refrigerate my brownies before slicing them. When the brownies are cold the butter and chocolate solidify, making them easier to cut without making a mess.

When slicing, run a sharp knife under hot water, then wipe it dry. This will give your brownies a super sharp edge.

What is the best way to serve these?

It all depends on your personal preference! For a decadent dessert serve these warm with a scoop of ice cream. Otherwise, you can enjoy them straight out of the fridge for a chewy brownie with a fudgy texture.

Can I add chocolate chips to the batter?

Of course! This recipe is very versatile and you can do whatever you want with it. Whether it be adding nuts, chocolate chips, or even peanut butter chips the end result will be delicious.

How do I get a gooier brownie?

The gooeyness of a brownie is determined by the bake time. The longer you make your brownies, the more cakey and crumbly they will become.

If you want a gooier brownie to bake them for about 22-25 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the centre will come out wet with a few moist crumbs attached, but don't worry. As the brownie cools in it will firm up enough to remove it from the baking pan and cut into squares.

Keep in mind that the center brownies will be significantly gooier than the outer pieces.

Let's Get Baking

If you are looking for a chocolate peanut butter treat to bake, this one will tick all the boxes.

If you liked this recipe make sure to leave me a comment and rating down below, I would love to know how you went.

Also, don't forget to tag me on Instagram @catherine.desserts and hashtag #cattycakes so I can see and share your desserts. Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Youtube, and TikTok for more of my baking creations and updates! Until next time... happy caking!

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