Oh, peanut butter! You, you… you magical mister, you! I mean, PB is just PB in my opinion… until one adds some form of chocolate, at which point this decent fellow becomes a dreamboat of love. Spending all waking hours hand-in-hand in wedded bliss. Don’t you agree?
It’s a beautiful thing, that peanut butter and chocolate.
Please, allow me to pass on this wonder of a recipe. It’s just so good! Like always, it’s in my repertoire because it’s easy- just some simple ingredients juxtaposed in a fudgey, chocolatey, peanut-buttery way!
Peanut Butter Fudge Brownies
(Original recipe found here.)
Brownie Ingredients
10 tbsp. butter
1 1/4 c. granulated sugar
3/4 c. cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/2 c. all-purpose flour
chocolate chips or candy bar for topping
Peanut Butter Fudge Ingredients
1 c. smooth peanut butter
1 cup butter
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
3 1/2 c. powdered sugar
Brownies
Preheat oven to 325°F. Line the bottom and sides of a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper & lightly coat with nonstick spray. (Note: I used an 11×14, so mine weren’t as tall as the original recipe… but it did make quite a few more to share!)
Combine the butter, sugar, cocoa, and salt in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth (I cut my butter and only had to zap it for 30 seconds). Set the mixture aside until it cools to room temperature.
Add the vanilla, then the eggs one at a time, stirring vigorously after each. Add the flour and stir until combined, then beat vigorously for 40 strokes with the wooden spoon or a rubber spatula. Spread evenly in the lined pan. (Batter will be quite thick.)
Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges slightly moist with batter, 20+ minutes. Let pan cool completely on a rack.
Spread the prepared peanut butter fudge (see below) on the brownies, smoothing with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle with the 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips/candy bar (I used a mix of both).
Refrigerate until the fudge sets (about an hour). Carefully lift the peanut butter fudge brownies out of the pan by pulling on the parchment paper, and set on a cutting board. Cut the brownies into squares and serve.
Peanut Butter Fudge
Bring butter and peanut butter to a boil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until combined and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in salt and vanilla until combined. Gradually add in powdered sugar, stirring until combined. Immediately add fudge to brownies.